关键词: 欧洲一体化, 社会学制度主义, 新制度主义, 建构主义

Abstract: Sociological institutionalism is a representative sociological path in the theories of European integration, aiming to describe and explain the impact of social behaviors, cultural contexts,and cognitive frameworks and norms on the evolution of the EU member states and its institutions. It also proposes some concepts from sociological perspectives, such as socialization, the logic of appropriateness and isomorphism. Sociological institutionalism shares many assumptions with social constructivism and has a unique explanatory advantage on the issue of identity. Nevertheless, the approach faces theoretical and practical challenges; we should thus strive to further elucidate the endogenous mechanisms by which institutions influence behaviors and measure the influence of cultural cognitive factors. Moreover, sociological institutionalism highlights the stability of institutional norms, whereas, to some extent, neglecting how the institutions have been shaped by social interactions, ie. the flexibility of institutions, thus exposing the limitations of sociological institutionalism in explaining institutional changes. In this regard, deeper reflection on the features and implications of sociological institutionalism provides important relevance for understanding the dynamics of European integration.

Key words: European integration, sociological institutionalism, new institutionalism, constructivism