This work is the updated version of my dissertation, which was accepted by the Faculty of Social Sciences at Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich in the summer semester of 1997. I would like to express my special thanks to my doctoral supervisors, Prof. Dr. Beate Neuss and Prof. Dr. Dieter Grosser, who helped me shape my ideas into a feasible concept through their constructive criticism. This necessity for precision was particularly important, as the discussion process central to this work had only just begun at the time of my initial thematic considerations in the autumn of 1992. I am grateful to my doctoral supervisor, Beate Neuss, not only for the academic discussions that sharpened my perspective on European political contexts but also for granting me the freedom during my work as her research assistant at Chemnitz University of Technology, which motivated me to complete the study promptly. I thank all the staff from ministries and parliaments of the EU member states who provided me with valuable insights into national discussions through their willingness to share information. Additionally, I owe my gratitude to all my colleagues who, through their comments and feedback during various phases of the work, were of great assistance; foremost among them are my doctoral colleagues from Munich, Dr. Thomas Paulsen and Dr. Benno Siebs. I also thank my father for his considerable effort in proofreading.