A fictional genealogy of European integration

In this paper, I aim to demonstrate the added value of a fictional genealogy for normative political theory, in particular democratic theory. This method is often mentioned in debates on political realism, but there aren’t many applications in political theory. Most realist analyses are either conceptual-normative arguments (e.g. Burelli/Hall/Sleat) or ideological critiques (e.g. Rossi/Aytaç/Prinz). I will first argue that Williams’s philosophical interest in our confidence in shared values is an overlooked yet crucial concern for contemporary democratic politics. In short, public debates on democracy are no longer only about how to fix or improve liberal democracy but increasingly on whether to keep it at all. Arguments on epistocracy, direct democracy and technocracy are seriously considered in public and academic debates. I argue that Williams’ naturalist method of a fictional genealogy offers a fruitful approach to engage with these more fundamental political philosophical questions concerning democracy. After explaining the method, I demonstrate the added value of this approach by turning to the case of European integration. Increasingly powerful international organizations challenge our democratic ideals, as Robert Dahl already outlined. Why should EU-citizens remain confident in the choice for European integration? Although the Brexit is in many ways unique, Euroskeptic politicians have become an electoral force within national and European politics. They have been able capitalize upon widespread apathy and skepticism fueled, amongst others, by the recent series of crises. These topics are usually objects of empirical inquiry, but I will propose a normative argument on the reasons for EU-citizens to remain committed to European integration. In a nutshell, I will argue that the principle of popular sovereignty offers a democratic justification for European integration. Building on Williams’ political writings, I argue that political authority requires simultaneously the provision of security – Williams’ first political question - and a justification of rule – his basic legitimation demand. Building on this model, I submit that the democratic principle of popular sovereignty remains a central justification of Europe’s political order. I sketch how popular sovereignty continuously justifies further integration as a response to broad socio-economic and political changes. More precisely, I outline three core stages in the European integration process: reconstruction, global competition, and multiple crisis. I show how the democratic principle of popular sovereignty provides good reasons for increasing integration of powers at the EU level. After demonstrating the method of fictional genealogy, I conclude that Williams’ realist approach to normative political value can enrich our philosophical tool kit. Fictional genealogy, in particular, can provide arguments that can make sense of citizens’ widespread democratic commitments despite historical challenges and contemporary challenges. I thus submit that the realist philosophy of Bernard Williams is a particularly useful for normative theorists working in democratic theory in these uncertain times for real-world democracies