Functionalists and neo-functionalists presume that cooperation across national borders particularly in the economic field spreads out to other sectors and this spillover finally leads to the
formation of supranational institutions and to the
diminishing role of the nation state. •
Karns and Mingst: functionalism is applicable at both regional and global levels They consider IGOs as functional institutions as the
IGOs have specific mandates, link to economic issues and limited membership which is often related to geographic region
•
Thomas George: functionalism is a global approach rather than a regional approach
– neo-functionalism is derived from the functionalist doctrine and was applied in a regional context
with some modification