Europeanization as a methodological challenge: The case of interest groups

Europeanization studies has become a very prominent research agenda. However, the theoretical framework becomes problematic when one starts to look for methods to study Europeanization empirically. Three main problems can be identified: First, Europeanization is not a linear process, where European integration influences the national level. It is, on the contrary, a circular movement, where national actors, policies, ideas or structures influence European integration, which, at the same time, reflects clearly at the national level. Second, what precisely is “Europeanized” compared to what is influenced by “purely” domestic politics? Third, how can we measure change at the national level? The aim of this article is to articulate the implications of the main methodological challenges and to propose possible solutions in the context of Europeanization studies. I argue that in order to study Europeanization, two particular methodological choices must be made. It is first necessary to compare actors from different national backgrounds, but also from different policy fields based on a long-term analysis. Second, a test variable is needed to study the activities of these actors not only in the European Union, but also abroad.