Preconditions Studies On The Function Of Rationality Evolution In The European Integration Process

The European integration process has developed for more than half a century and established a set of sophisticated operation and coordination mechanism. This highly complicated mechanism is a result of human rational construction. However, the numerous problems and crises that emerged during the integration process reflected the defects of this constructed system. As the most typical example of rational design, the Euro System, which is a monetary integration practice established according to “Theory of Optimum Monetary Area” has caused a serious debt and financial crisis. The crisis exposed some underlying problems when the constructed theory applied to the reality, and provoked thinking and discussing about the realm of rationality and the precondition of rational function in this paper.This paper adopts evolutionary perspective and considers the European integration process as the expansion of human cooperation order to research. By analyzing the relation between rules that dominates the cooperation order and rational construction, the paper attempts to find the rules of conducts which are preconditions of rational function and its evolutionary path. The paper divides into four parts. The first part defines the concept of reason and rationality and summarizes the rationality theories in related disciplines, as well as how to utilize the related theories to support the whole paper’s analytical framework. The key part is Hayek’s Ecological Rationalism. The second part expounds the evolution of communication rules between European national states. The evolution process of communication rules experiences three important phases, which are from force to peace, from contesting hegemony to recognizing equality, from parochialism and intolerance to construct common identification. Then the evolved rules lay the foundation of European integration. The third part pays attention to the evolution of order and rules in European economic field. The ideas of endogenous order and exogenous order, endogenous rules and exogenous rules and how the individual behavior rules develop into integral order provide an analysis framework to explain that the specific economical institution and rules formulated during the European economic integration process are based on a series of abstract economical rules, and what these abstract rules are. The fourth part states that the preconditions of realization of European political union and the set up of super national institution are the completion of democratization and establishment of democratic principle in member states.This paper combines the theory of evolution and research of rationality, order, rules, then applies the combination into the investigation of the European integration process. It is concluded that the European integration is an evolutionary process of rules and rationality, which also satisfied the double significance of purpose as well as value. The rational construction during integration process could realize and functioning well would not come into being without a series of abstract rules being its condition and foundation. Furthermore, the future development of the European Union needs more prudent reflection. Only to find a suitable realm for human rationality is a responsible development view.