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Cini: European Union Politics 2e

Chapter 25

Four macro-dynamics of Europeanization (Bulmer and Radaelli 2004)

'Europeanization' is most often defined as the impact of European policies on domestic policies, politics and polity of its member states. The impact of this 'Europeanization', in particular upon public policy of member states has been controversial. Some areas of independent public policy, such as monetary or trade policy have been transferred to supranational institutions, and others such as health care or employment policy is still fragmented.

Bulmer and Radaelli (2004) review the process of 'Europeanization' and provide four macro-dynamics which stimulated a re-direction of the intellectual debate toward Europeanization. The first one is the institutionalization of the single market. Although the EU is still in the process of completing the single market, EU directives, regulations, and jurisprudence related to the single market since the Single European Act (SEA) in 1986 has dramatically affected domestic policy areas. The second element they argue is the advent of economic and monetary union (EMU). Beyond the fact that creating EMU introduced the single currency, the central bank and interest rate regime, it has heightened the degree of interdependence in other policy areas. Bulmer and Radaelli take an example of employment policy which has become more subject to EU-wide considerations as a consequence of EMU. The third macro-dynamic is defined as a market dynamic or a result of a market-driven process. A telling example is the creation of the single market which produced a pattern of regulatory competition. Although domestic policy choice has been locked into 'a web of regulatory competition', it is 'Europeanization' that "national policies adjust to seek competitive advantage within a broad EU policy context". The process of enlargement is the final key dynamic. With an effort to export the acquis communautaire, the EU has transferred norms and rules of democracy and market economy to new member states. Now the remaining questions are to what extent national public policy has been affected by this Europeanization, and finally whether or not this Europeanization of domestic policy produces either costs or benefits to citizens, individual member states and the EU itself.

Web Links

Institute for European Environment Policy (IEEP)
www.ieep.org.uk/index.php

The Eco-Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS)
europa.eu.int/comm/environment/emas/index_en.htm

EurActiv.com on the EU's education policy and news
www.euractiv.com/Section?idNum=3750699

Centre for European Policy Studies (CEPS) Research on Social Welfare System
www.ceps.be/Article.php?article_id=344

Further Learning Resources

Bulmer, Simon J. and Radaelli, Claudio M. (2004), 'The Europeanisation of National Policy?', Queen's Papers on Europeanisation, No.1/2004.

Bache, Ian and Marshall, Adam (2004), 'Europeanisation and Domestic Change: A Governance Approach to Institutional Adaptation in Britain', Queen's Papers on Europeanisation, No.5/2004.

Radaelli, Claudio M. (2003), 'The Europeanisation of Public Policy' in Featherstone, Kevin and Radaelli, Claudio M. (eds), The Politics of Europeanisation, Oxford, Oxford University Press, pp. 27-56.

Wallace, Helen (2000), 'Europeanisation and Globalisation: Complementary or Contradictory Trends?', New Political Economy, Vol.5, No.3, pp. 369-82.

Hay, Colin, Wincott, Daniel and Watson, Matthew (1999), 'Globalisation, European Integration and the Persistence of European Social Models', Working Paper for 'One Europe or Several?' 3/99 (www.one-europe.ac.uk/pdf/w3.PDF).