The Power of the Centre: Central Governments and the Macro-Implementation of EU Public Policy (European Policy Studies) - Hardcover

Dimitrakopoulos, Dionyssis G.

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0719062004 ISBN 13: 9780719062001

Publisher: Manchester University Press, 2009

Synopsis

This book examines a hitherto under-researched aspect of the European Union’s policy process--the extent and the nature of the involvement of central governments in the implementation of EU public policy. It discusses how the co-ordination of these institutions affects their capacity to shape the way in which the commitments that they make in Brussels are turned into concrete reality at the national level. It shows that the nature of their involvement in implementation reflects the pattern of their involvement in the formulation of EU policy.

 

However, since implementation unfolds over long periods of time, its patterns can change over time. The author draws on empirical evidence regarding the liberalization of public procurement to demonstrate how the institutions of central governments bring about change. Comparing the central governments of Greece, France and Britain over a twenty-five year period, the author demonstrates that--far from being the passive conduits of pressure emanating from the EU--the institutions of national central governments actively steer the implementation of EU public policy.

About this title

About the Author

Dionyssis G. Dimitrakopoulos is Senior Lecturer in Politics in the School of Politics and Sociology at Birkbeck College, University of London.

Edition details

• Publisher: Manchester University Press
• Publication date: 2009
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0719062004
• ISBN 13: 9780719062001
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 208