CEVAP:

Integration theories are considered to be useful for several reasons. First, they help us understand the rationale behind integration processes and the effects of such processes in terms of costs and benefits. The connection between the rationale and outcomes of integration processes is thus considered to be useful for making projections on future integration initiatives and for the behavioral analysis of states and institutions. Second, integration theories shed light on the functioning of formal institutional structures, because they reflect upon the credibility and legitimacy of these structures especially with regard to decision making on behalf of the nation states that participate in the integration process. Third, it is argued that these theories provide a clear understanding of how institutions work because they blend the facts and empirical research with underlying theoretical assumptions on inter-state relations and policy-making processes