explanation here

http://testpolitics.pbworks.com/w/page/25795541/Neo - functi...

Theory

Neo-functionalism reformulates the functionalist principles in the context of regional institutions. While functionalists view integration as an unpreventable result of development which imposes more functions on the states and pushed them to the cooperation with international functional institutions. However, integration in the view of neo-functionalists is that created institutions drives the integration further by inertia even if originally it was not aimed so. There is also a difference in the final results of the integration process between functionalists and neo-functionalists. According to the functionalists view the end result of the integration process is where there is a separate institutional organization performing their functions. Whereas for neo-functionalist everything is shifted to the one new center as the result of a "new political community" which arises (Haas 1958). Jean Monnet saw an increased European integration as the most important originator to a peaceful Europe. According to the neo-functionalism the importance of nationalism and national state will decline in the light of a central supranational sate. There are three mechanisms that neo-functionalists view as a driving force of the integration process positive spill over, transfer of domestic alliances, technocratic automaticity...."

http://www.e-ir.info/2011/08/03/neofunctionalism-and-europea...

Neo-functionalists seek to explain the process of political integration. They focus on shifts in the ‘loyalties, expectations and political activities’ of various national political actors in order to highlight the emergence of ‘a new [political] centre, whose institutions possess or demand jurisdiction over the pre-existing national states’.2 On the neo-functionalist argument, this supranational European centre is the result of incremental and unintentional acts driven by interests rather than the concerted efforts of specific actors at the European level. As such, it is manifest in gradual and uncontrollable transfers of power which seem to be required by political and economic conditions at the national level. Policy makers look to Europe, for instance, to try to alleviate the unintended national consequences of economic and functional European integration.