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Understanding National Preferences in EU Consumer Policy: A Regime Approach

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  • M. H. Austgulen

    (OsloMet – Oslo Metropolitan University)

Abstract

EU consumer policy is a policy area that is receiving increased attention and is considered important for the proper functioning of the internal market. Yet, as with many other supranational policy areas, conflicting positions of the Member States have led to many compromises and rejections of EU-initiated proposals. By building on regime theory and previous research identifying consumer policy regimes, the aim with this article is to investigate potential patterns in countries’ preferences in EU consumer policy. With this, the article seeks both to contribute to the theoretical understanding of factors influencing Member States’ positions to EU consumer policy and to the debate on how future EU consumer policies should be designed and put into power. Differences in country and regime preferences are analysed using data collected through an open public consultation as part of the European Commission’s Fitness Check of European consumer and marketing law in 2016 and through interviews with key stakeholders in 2018. The results show that there are substantial differences between the regimes and that the level of harmonization of consumer and marketing law seems to be the most contested issue. Furthermore, the article points to several potential reasons for these differences between countries and regimes and recommends that future studies should be undertaken to generate deeper knowledge about the effects of these explanatory factors.

Suggested Citation

  • M. H. Austgulen, 2020. "Understanding National Preferences in EU Consumer Policy: A Regime Approach," Journal of Consumer Policy, Springer, vol. 43(4), pages 767-798, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:jcopol:v:43:y:2020:i:4:d:10.1007_s10603-020-09468-8
    DOI: 10.1007/s10603-020-09468-8
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Krasner, Stephen D., 1982. "Structural causes and regime consequences: regimes as intervening variables," International Organization, Cambridge University Press, vol. 36(2), pages 185-205, April.
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    6. S. Nessel, 2019. "Consumer Policy in 28 EU Member States: An Empirical Assessment in Four Dimensions," Journal of Consumer Policy, Springer, vol. 42(4), pages 455-482, December.
    7. Christina Zimmer & Gerald Schneider & Michael Dobbins, 2005. "The Contested Council: Conflict Dimensions of an Intergovernmental EU Institution," Political Studies, Political Studies Association, vol. 53(2), pages 403-422, June.
    8. Petteri Repo & Päivi Timonen, 2017. "Regime Market Performance Analysis: Informing European Consumer Policy," Journal of Consumer Policy, Springer, vol. 40(1), pages 125-143, March.
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    Cited by:

    1. L. Berg, 2022. "The Importance of Consumer Authorities for the Production and Maintenance of Trust and Social Capital in Consumer Markets," Journal of Consumer Policy, Springer, vol. 45(3), pages 537-559, September.

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