Supranationalism between the nation-state and international cooperation

Abstract

On one hand, supranationalism is a level of international cooperation while on the other hand it is a model of
institutional structure present in the European studies, or, in a broader view, in international relationships, as well
as a method of cooperation, or integration rather, which depends on positioning the international interactions on
the supranational level. The purpose of this article is to examine supranational level higher than inter-state level in
the European integration. Particular focus is given to models of supranationalism and its mechanics of creation in
several stages: establishing of international institutions, delegating national competences and emancipation of
delegated powers. Author adopts the “deliberative” model of supranationalism. Since supranationalism is a third
dimension between the national state and international cooperation and more importantly, it is intentionally and
voluntarily created (as a result of tests, experiments and research) by national states, it means that it offers better,
that is, more effective instruments to execute the state’s preferences than the ones that are traditionally used by
national states. At last supranational community is a project that is more challenging than “unity”, but it is also
more ambiguous. It is more challenging because it redefines the notion of borders among nations and between the
nation and the state, or even within the nation itself. The project is more radical because, on one hand, it demands
more from the actors of such community but, on the other hand, it imposes more limitations on them.