The European Commission and the Integration of Europe: Images of Governance (Themes in European Governance) - Softcover

Hooghe, Liesbet

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0521001439 ISBN 13: 9780521001434

Publisher: Cambridge University Press, 2002

Synopsis

It is often assumed that the European Commission is a unitary actor, with a shared set of values. Liesbet Hooghe's book questions this assumption through interviews with over one hundred officials on central issues in the governance of Europe. She finds that officials in fact have diverse views, are not "socialized" during their time at the Commission, and that contention over key issues within the Commission echoes debates among Europe's wider public. The Commission is not, she argues, a determinedly pro-integrationist organization with closer union as its aim.

About this title

Review:

"This book by an American political scientist examines the views and preferences of senior officials of the European Commission on the desirable form of European integration... A book for specialists on the EU." Choice

"Hooghe accompanies her quantitative analysis with an elegant theoretical argument, as well as extracts from her interviews that add context and provide a broader understanding of the top officials' Weltanschauung and perception of issues.... Hooghe's book offers an excellent scholarly analysis of the Commission staff. It will be difficult to overlook her findings in future research on the EU Commission." Perspectives on Politics

About this edition

• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Publication date: 2002
• ISBN 10: 0521001439
• ISBN 13: 9780521001434
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 292