Institutional path-dependencies in Europe's networked modes of governance

Nina Boeger*, Joseph Corkin

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticle (Academic Journal)peer-review

23 Citations (Scopus)
275 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

We consider whether transnational networks that softly discipline Member States (such as the OMC or regulatory networks that oversee national discretion in implementing broad EU frameworks) mark a significant turn in European integration or merely a transitional step towards centralization (agencification) and formalization (subjecting to law). We suggest this requires a closer reading of the institutional changes necessary to bring about centralization/formalization, and ask particularly whether change might be partially attributable to the very institutional-agents operating inside Europe's networked modes of governance. Supplementing functional-political explanations, we propose an endogenous model of institutional change that incorporates the independent role transnational networks play in shaping their own institutionalization, which may make this mode of governance more resilient and even self-reinforcing. We test the plausibility of this model with a case-study detailing the institutional entrepreneurship of transnational networks in the telecoms sector.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)974-992
Number of pages19
JournalJournal of Common Market Studies
Volume55
Issue number5
Early online date3 Feb 2017
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Sept 2017

Keywords

  • EU modes of governance
  • European integration
  • Institutional path-dependence
  • Transnational networks

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