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Chapter by Chapter ResourcesChapter 3: From Government to Governance: Running the state, making policy, and policing the constitution
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A variety of pressures – practical, financial and ideological – have ensured that it is not only in federal countries that powers are devolved from central to regional and/or local government. The EU has also played a part, although its influence – like the downward transfer of powers itself – is not quite as great as some assume.
There is considerable variation in the extent to which Europe’s central governments have embraced the ideas associated with new public management (NPM), although most have been concerned to improve political co-ordination of, and control over, the bureaucracy. Convergence toward one model, however, is not on the cards and – as is the case with regionalization – seems unlikely to be driven any further as a result of states adjusting to deal with the EU.
EU membership may have strengthened some actors and organizations relative to others, but it has not erased fundamental cultural and institutional differences in the way policy is made in individual states. These policy styles can be compared but they are only approximations because sectors within countries vary and because contingencies always play a part. So, too, does Europeanization, but its effects are not uniform.
To talk of ‘juristocracy’ is going too far, but it is apparent that the judges do play a role – and perhaps an increasing one – in the politics of European democracies, even where judicial review is restricted. And the ECJ is undoubtedly both influential and a driver of Europeanization. The judicial branch of government seems more popular than the executive or legislative branches – but this isn’t saying much.
(For general web materials on European Politics see Tim Bale's Internet Guide)
confinder.richmond.edu
Constitutions in English
www.concourts.net
Constitutional courts
www.nispa.sk
CEE public administration and civil service
www.oecd.org
Reports on governments and governance throughout Europe
international.lga.gov.uk
Local and regional governments in Europe
curia.europa.eu
ECJ
1. Why do some analysts think it makes more sense to talk about governance rather than government? And why talk about multilevel governance?
2. Why does decentralization seem to be the trend across Europe? Does the trend mean that traditional distinctions between unitary and federal countries are now a little outdated and/or overstated?
3. What are new public management ideas and why aren’t they uniformly popular in Europe?
4. The neutrality of the civil service is valued in some European states but less so in others: can you think of any advantages of a more politicized bureaucracy?
5. How do you think that Europeanization has affected the state machinery of European countries?
6. Some talk about national policy styles. How can we explain them? Why and to what extent do they persist?
7. Why do you think most European states have written constitutions and judicial review? Is it possible – or advisable – to do without them?
8. Given the record of Europe’s constitutional courts, would you say judicial interference in politics has been either extensive or dangerous?
9. Has ‘rule by judges’ been made more or less likely by European integration?
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