European Democratic Institutions and Administrations

European Democratic Institutions and Administrations PDF

Author: Francesco Merloni

Publisher: Springer

Published: 2018-09-03

Total Pages: 320

ISBN-13: 3319724932

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This book presents the results of extensive international comparative research into the effects of the economic and financial crisis on democratic institutions and social cohesion policies. The collected studies describe and analyse the measures (often referred to as "reforms") adopted to counter the crisis and the effects of these measures.It investigates three areas: the impact on the functioning of institutions, with respect to the relationship between representative institutions and governments, and the organisational structure of administrations at national and local levels; the impact that the austerity policies on public spending have on social rights; and the impact on traditional instruments of public action (administrative simplification, public services delivering, the use of common assets).The general findings highlight the effect of reducing the administrative and government capacity of the democratic institutions: the public sector, rather than being innovative and made more effective, declines, offering increasingly poor public services and making bad decisions, fuelling substantive or formal privatisation solutions, which in turn cause further weakening.

Developing Democracy in Europe

Developing Democracy in Europe PDF

Author: Lawrence Pratchett

Publisher: Council of Europe

Published: 2004-01-01

Total Pages: 116

ISBN-13: 9789287155795

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Published as part of the integrated project "Making democratic institutions work"

Reflections on the Future of Democracy in Europe

Reflections on the Future of Democracy in Europe PDF

Author: Council of Europe. Directorate General of Political Affairs

Publisher: Council of Europe

Published: 2005-01-01

Total Pages: 165

ISBN-13: 9287158126

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This publication contains papers presented at a conference, held in November 2004 in Barcelona and organised by the Council of Europe. The purpose of the conference (held to mark the end of the three-year integrated project "Making democratic institutions work") was to discuss issues relating to the challenges and opportunities facing governments in Europe to strengthen democratic reform and encourage greater public participation. Topics covered include: promoting inclusive elections; financing of political parties; popular initiatives and referendums; and how modern communication technologies can affect the democratic process.

Europe in Search of Political Order

Europe in Search of Political Order PDF

Author: Johan P. Olsen

Publisher: Oxford University Press

Published: 2007-02

Total Pages: 340

ISBN-13: 0199214344

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One of the world's most influential Political Scientists provides an innovative perspective on institutional change and reform in the EU.

Political Institutions and Public Policy

Political Institutions and Public Policy PDF

Author: B. Steunenberg

Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media

Published: 2012-12-06

Total Pages: 242

ISBN-13: 9401586039

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The discipline of public administration and public policy is experiencing a renaissance of research in which explicit attention is paid to political insti tutions. This renewed interest in institutions is not simply an extension of the 'classical' paradigm in the study of public administration, which peaked in the 1920s and 1930s, but offers a new orientation on political institutions. While 'classical' institutionalism is known for its focus on the formal stroctures of the executive branch of government, the 'new' institutionalism concentrates on the interaction between political institutions and the behavior of policy makers. This interaction, which until recently was largely neglected in public administration and public policy, forms the basic theme of this volume. To advance the study of political institutions, two rather basic problems need to be addressed: What are institutions and what are adequate ways to analyze them? We briefty discuss both questions, which determine the strocture of this book.

Governance and Democracy

Governance and Democracy PDF

Author: Arthur Benz

Publisher: Routledge

Published: 2006-04-18

Total Pages: 343

ISBN-13: 1134229771

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For the first time, this new collection brings together country specialists, researchers on the European Union, and leading international relations scholars to tackle a crucial question: how compatible are today’s new patterns of ‘policy networks’ and ‘multi-level’ governance with democratic standards? This important question is attracting attention both in political science and in political practices. In political science, the question is mainly dealt with in separated sub-disciplines, which focus on different levels of politics. So far, no serious exchange has actually taken place between authors working on these different levels. The editors of this book – both specialists of network and multi-level governance – show that although the issue is raised differently in the institutional settings of the national state, the European Union, or transnational governance, excellent insights can be gained by comparison across these settings. This major new contribution includes cutting edge work from junior scholars alongside chapters by leading specialists of governance such as Guy Peters, Jon Pierre, Philippe C. Schmitter and Thomas Risse. It also contains a collection of new case studies, theoretical conceptualisations and normative proposals for solutions dealing with the issue of democratic deficits, which all give the reader a better understanding of the most crucial problems and perspectives of democracy in different patterns of "governance" beyond conventional ‘government’ approaches. This is a valuable book for policy analysts, students of the European Union and international relations, and all students in social and political science.

European Democratic Culture

European Democratic Culture PDF

Author: Gerard Duprat

Publisher: Routledge

Published: 2005-08-18

Total Pages: 216

ISBN-13: 1134804202

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These essays go beyond conventional studies of the institutions and parties of Europe to address Europe's democractic future more widely. While the book does offer an analysis of the democratic institutions of European countries, identifying common features and differences, as the editors put it, "institutions cannot function alone, like machines to produce concensus". So the book focuses on the fundamentals of European democratic culture. The authors argue that European social life and scientific learning have been indispensable components in the growth of the shared values that democracy pursues. They also analyse the dynamic tension brought to the life of democractic institutions by law, the desire for freedom, and critical public debate. With Europe engaged in perpetual self-examination, and rapid change, this book provides insights into its democractic past and prognosticates for its democratic future.

Political Institutions in Europe

Political Institutions in Europe PDF

Author: Josep Colomer

Publisher: Routledge

Published: 2003-08-29

Total Pages: 332

ISBN-13: 1134497318

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A clear, accessible introduction to the institutional regimes of 15 countries in western Europe, by an outstanding team of leading European political scientists. Each chapter is devoted either to a single country or to a small group of countries, allowing students to draw sophisticated comparisons of their political parties, electoral systems, and institutions of goverment at national, regional, and local level.

The Future of Democracy in Europe

The Future of Democracy in Europe PDF

Author: Alexandre H. Trechsel

Publisher: Council of Europe

Published: 2004

Total Pages: 140

ISBN-13:

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This publication examines a number of challenges and opportunities for democracy and democratic institutions throughout Europe, and makes 28 recommendations for reforms intended to improve government efficiency, transparency and accountability. Topics discussed include the impact of forces such as globalisation, European integration, migration and technological change; as well as issues such as citizenship (political discontent, cultural identity and protest), representation (political parties and civil society) and decision-making.

The European Public Servant

The European Public Servant PDF

Author: Patrick Overeem

Publisher: ECPR Press

Published: 2015-03-02

Total Pages: 326

ISBN-13: 1907301747

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Of all of the books produced by Ernst B Haas during his career, Beyond the Nation-State contains the most complete and definitive statement of 'neofunctionalism': the theory of transnational integration for which he is best known. Focusing on the International Labor Organization (ILO), Beyond the Nation-State was one of the first efforts to analyse systematically the dynamics and effects of a global international institution. Regarded as a classic in comparative politics and international relations, and among students of European integration, this book enjoyed a renaissance with the end of the cold war, reinvigorated European integration, and resumed interest in communitarian theorising about forms of global governance, which relied on a heightened role for international institutions and their associated policy communities. First published in 1964, Beyond the Nation-State was part of larger project described by others as neofunctionalism, regional integration, and soft constructivism, which animated Haas throughout his career. Beyond the Nation-State continues to provide valuable guidelines for describing and understanding contemporary IR, and is reissued with a new introduction by Peter M Haas, John G Ruggie, Philippe Schmitter and Antje Wiener, placing this important work in a current context.