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The Search for Convergence of National Policies in the European Union

Author

Listed:
  • Antoaneta Dimitrova

    (Leiden University, The Netherlands)

  • Bernard Steunenberg

    (Leiden University, The Netherlands)

Abstract

This article addresses the question of whether European integration leads to convergence in the domestic policies of the member states of the European Union. Some recent studies claim that as a result of European integration the national policies of the member states are becoming more alike. The existence of various exemptions and `flexibility' arrangements in the revisions of the Treaty of Rome as well as problems with implementation seem to contradict this view. In this article we offer a model based on insights from game theory and analytical politics, which aims to explain the conditions under which convergence may occur and the limitations of this process at the legislative and implementation stages of European policy making.

Suggested Citation

  • Antoaneta Dimitrova & Bernard Steunenberg, 2000. "The Search for Convergence of National Policies in the European Union," European Union Politics, , vol. 1(2), pages 201-226, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:eeupol:v:1:y:2000:i:2:p:201-226
    DOI: 10.1177/1465116500001002003
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Nora Dörrenbächer & Ellen Mastenbroek, 2019. "Passing the buck? Analyzing the delegation of discretion after transposition of European Union law," Regulation & Governance, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 13(1), pages 70-85, March.
    2. Beyers, Jan & Trondal, Jarle, 2003. "How Nation-States Hit Europe Ambiguity and Representation in the European Union," European Integration online Papers (EIoP), European Community Studies Association Austria (ECSA-A), vol. 7, April.
    3. Thomas Winzen & Frank Schimmelfennig, 2016. "Explaining differentiation in European Union treaties," European Union Politics, , vol. 17(4), pages 616-637, December.
    4. Ellen Mastenbroek, 2003. "Surviving the Deadline," European Union Politics, , vol. 4(4), pages 371-395, December.
    5. Robert Thomson, 2010. "Opposition through the back door in the transposition of EU directives," European Union Politics, , vol. 11(4), pages 577-596, December.
    6. Raphaela Schlicht & Isabelle Stadelmann-Steffen & Markus Freitag, 2010. "Educational Inequality in the EU," European Union Politics, , vol. 11(1), pages 29-59, March.
    7. Christophe Crombez & Bernard Steunenberg & Richard Corbett, 2000. "Understanding the EU Legislative Process," European Union Politics, , vol. 1(3), pages 363-381, October.
    8. Clifford J. Carrubba & Craig Volden, 2001. "Explaining Institutional Change in the European Union," European Union Politics, , vol. 2(1), pages 5-30, February.
    9. Treib, Oliver, . "Implementing and complying with EU governance outputs," Living Reviews in European Governance (LREG), Institute for European integration research (EIF).
    10. Ellen Mastenbroek & Tim Veen, 2008. "Last Words on Delegation?," European Union Politics, , vol. 9(2), pages 295-311, June.
    11. Bernard Steunenberg, 2006. "Turning Swift Policy-making into Deadlock and Delay," European Union Politics, , vol. 7(3), pages 293-319, September.
    12. Fabio Franchino & Camilla Mariotto, 2021. "Noncompliance risk, asymmetric power and the design of enforcement of the European economic governance," European Union Politics, , vol. 22(4), pages 591-610, December.
    13. Moschitz, Heidrun & Stolze, Matthias, 2010. "The influence of policy networks on policy output. A comparison of organic farming policy in the Czech Republic and Poland," Food Policy, Elsevier, vol. 35(3), pages 247-255, June.
    14. Bernard Steunenberg, 2010. "Is big brother watching? Commission oversight of the national implementation of EU directives," European Union Politics, , vol. 11(3), pages 359-380, September.
    15. Fabio Franchino, 2005. "A Formal Model of Delegation in the European Union," Journal of Theoretical Politics, , vol. 17(2), pages 217-247, April.
    16. Castillo-Manzano, José I. & Castro-Nuño, Mercedes & Pedregal, Diego J., 2014. "The trend towards convergence in road accident fatality rates in Europe: The contributions of non-economic variables," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 35(C), pages 229-240.
    17. Trondal, Jarle, 2002. "The Europeanisation of Research and Higher Educational Policies Some Reflections," European Integration online Papers (EIoP), European Community Studies Association Austria (ECSA-A), vol. 6, August.

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