Theories of Integration and the Limits of EU-Russian Relations

Abstract

Of all the efforts at regional integration, the European Union (EU) is generally regarded as the most successful and dynamic. It is therefore no wonder that the majority of social and economic theories aiming at explaining regional integration processes, as well as practical models to that effect, are about European integration (Rosamond 2000; Chrys-sochoou 2001; Cram 2001; Kelstrup 1998; Michelmann and Soldatos 1994). As to the relationship between the EU and Russia, however, these theoretical approaches are rarely used to illustrate, explain, or predict its development.