Texte remanié de: Habilitationsschrift--Konstanz, [ca 1990]. / Bibliogr. p. 257-284. Index.

Based on author's thesis, Freiburg i. B. / Bibliography: p. [286]-291.

Zugl.: Vechta, Universiẗat, Diss., 2006.

Diss., 2004. / Bibliogr. p. 349-373.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Universität Vechta, 2006. / Includes bibliographical references (p. [370]-380) and index.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Universität Vechta, 2006. / Includes bibliographical references (p. [370]-380) and index.

Based on author's thesis, Freiburg i. B. / Bibliography: p. [286]-291.

Au premier abord, la subsidiarité s’opposerait à la souveraineté. Si les mots et les concepts ont un sens, ils ont également une histoire. Ainsi faut-il souligner que l’environnement dans lequel a pu éclore la théorie de la subsidiarité aura pu, entre autres, influencer le principe inscrit en droit de l’Union européenne. Dès leurs origines, il appert que de profondes divergences imprègnent le binôme subsidiarité/souveraineté. Divergences d’abord, de théories qui éloignent et marquent profondément les deux concepts étudiés ; divergences ensuite, de logiques qui sont insufflées de part et d’autre au sein de la construction européenne. Ces contradictions mises à jour, il devient possible de trouver des zones de convergences entre ces deux pôles conceptuels. Convergences d’abord, qui font la promotion de la figure et de la sphère de l’Etat par la réintroduction et la réapparition de la souveraineté étatique ; convergences ensuite, qui déterminent les frontières – malléables – des pouvoirs à l’intérieur desquelles chaque échelon conduit et développe ses propres sphères de compétences / At first sight, subsidiarity would be opposed to sovereignty. If the relevant words and the concept meaning make sense, they have also a history. So we must emphasize that the environment in which appeared the theory of the subsidiarity might have influence, among others, the principle of subsidiarity such as registered in the European Union law. Since their origins, profound differences appear which imbued the subsidiarity/sovereignty combination. First, different theories putting at a distance and deeply impressing the two concepts discussed. Then divergences, which are infused logic from both sides within the European construction. These contradictions updated, it becomes possible to find areas of convergences between these two concept poles. Convergences initially, which promote the figure and the sphere of the State by the reintroduction and the reappearance of the official sovereignty; then convergences, which determine the frontiers – pliables ones – powers inside which each level leads and develops its own spheres of competence

This thesis investigates in three parts the role played by metatheory in the discipline of International Relations (IR). Part one defines metatheory as 'systematic discourse about theory' and classifies it in a typology combining elements internal or external to the discipline with intellectual or contextual aspects of theorising. Each combination has particular functions. They also add to the roles played by several modes of metatheoretical inquiry (hermeneutical, evaluative, corrective, critical and historical). The typology offered in part one clarifies the general roles of metatheory as a constraining and enabling discursive mechanism. This is also discussed in part two, addressing how IR scholars portray metatheory's role in the discipline. Arguments against and in favour of metatheory are scrutinised, leading to a qualified defence of metatheoretical research in IR. Some of the negative impact of metatheorising in IR is acknowledged, but ultimately a stronger case attempting to eliminate it from the field cannot be sustained for analytical reasons. The merits of metatheory, therefore, will depend on how it operates in particular instances. A selection of illustration cases in part three further develops the argument. The first case stresses how metatheoretical directives shaped 17th century views of the Holy Roman Empire. It indicates that metatheory can frame theoretical claims even in a weak disciplinary context. A stronger disciplinary environment frames the second case, analysing a number of IR theories on the impact of the Peace of Westphalia in the European states-system. This discussion often alludes to the notion of hierarchy. The third case examines the interaction between metatheoretical directives and theories of hierarchy. These arguments are not necessarily compatible with the metatheoretical principles argued by their authors. As a mechanism, therefore, metatheory does not relate to theory in a deterministic way. Part three itself is, of course, a metatheoretical study that further illustrates the thesis.

This thesis aims at furthering our understanding of the constitutional structures and processes of sui generic associations such as the European Union. The thesis argues that the problematical constitutionalisation of the European Union has highlighted the limitations of the political thought that has served as the basis of political associationalism since the Treaty ofWestphalia (1648) and the publication of Thomas Hobbes' Leviathan (1651). These limitations have resulted in the European Union being described, for want of a better expression, as sui generis. The thesis advances the argument that in order to be in a position to understand constitutional relations in a 'non-statal' setting, what is needed is an alternative variant of political thought that is not based in or dependent on the societas canon that originates with Hobbes. One source of such political thought can be located in the work of Johannes Althusius (1557-1638) who, writing in the city of Emden in the Holy Roman Empire in the early 17th Century, described a constitutional structure of a political association that differs in significant features to the centralised state theories of the societas canon. The thesis also argues that the traditional concepts of constitutionalism and political association applied to sui generic constitutionalism are hampered by the inherent weaknesses of modem political and legal vocabulary. Despite being used ad infinitum in the constitutional discussions on the European Union, there is not a precise definition of either the term 'constitution' or treaty' in political or legal theory. Althusius' work avoids this weakness, due to the fact that the centralised state does not enjoy the same position it does in the societas canon, and so the need to classify 'intra' or 'inter' state relationships does not exist to the same degree. While taking the European Union as a workable model of a sui generic association, this thesis does not aim at solving the European Union's constitutional problems or offering a more suitable term to describe its nature. Rather, based on an analysis of Althusius' work, the thesis aims to offer an alternative understanding of the problems that result from the constitutionalisation of sui generic associations.