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Laboratory Federalism: The Open Method of Coordination (OMC) as an Evolutionary Learning Process

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  • ANA B. ANIA
  • ANDREAS WAGENER

Abstract

In view of the concept of laboratory federalism, the Open Method of Coordination (OMC), adopted by the EU as a mode of governance, can be interpreted as an imitative learning dynamics of the type considered in evolutionary game theory. Its iterative design and focus on good practice are captured by the behavioral rule “imitate the best.” In a redistribution game with utilitarian governments and mobile welfare recipients, we compare the outcomes of imitative behavior (long-run evolutionary equilibria) and decentralized best-response behavior (Nash equilibria). The learning dynamics leads to coordination on a strict subset of Nash equilibria, favoring policy choices that can be sustained by a simple majority of Member States.

Suggested Citation

  • Ana B. Ania & Andreas Wagener, 2014. "Laboratory Federalism: The Open Method of Coordination (OMC) as an Evolutionary Learning Process," Journal of Public Economic Theory, Association for Public Economic Theory, vol. 16(5), pages 767-795, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:jpbect:v:16:y:2014:i:5:p:767-795
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    1. Sebastian Strunz, Erik Gawel, and Paul Lehmann, 2015. "Towards a general Europeanization of EU Member States energy policies?," Economics of Energy & Environmental Policy, International Association for Energy Economics, vol. 0(Number 2).
    2. Andreas Wagener, 2016. "Evolutionary Stability in Fiscal Competition," CESifo Working Paper Series 5791, CESifo.
    3. Ana B. Ania & Andreas Wagener, 2021. "Laboratory federalism with public funds sharing," Economic Inquiry, Western Economic Association International, vol. 59(3), pages 1047-1065, July.
    4. Ania, Ana B. & Wagener, Andreas, 2016. "Decentralized redistribution in a laboratory federation," Journal of Urban Economics, Elsevier, vol. 93(C), pages 49-59.
    5. Nicky Rogge & Emilia Konttinen, 2018. "Social Inclusion in the EU Since the Enlargement: Progress or Regress?," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 135(2), pages 563-584, January.
    6. Strunz, Sebastian & Gawel, Erik & Lehmann, Paul & Söderholm, Patrik, 2018. "Policy convergence as a multifaceted concept: the case of renewable energy policies in the European Union," Journal of Public Policy, Cambridge University Press, vol. 38(3), pages 361-387, September.
    7. Ana B. Ania & Andreas Wagener, 2021. "Laboratory federalism with public funds sharing," Economic Inquiry, Western Economic Association International, vol. 59(3), pages 1047-1065, July.
    8. Hefeker Carsten, 2019. "Helping with the Homework: Support Mechanisms for Uncertain Reforms in a Monetary Union," Journal of Economics and Statistics (Jahrbuecher fuer Nationaloekonomie und Statistik), De Gruyter, vol. 239(5-6), pages 983-1004, October.

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