'New' modes of European governance

Abstract

A defining feature of governance is the ability to formulate and implement policy. With the European system of multi-level governance, a crucial question has always been: what is the appropriate form and level for policy formulation? For several decades, the choice for policy formulation at the European level was mainly limited to communitarisation on the one hand, and intergovernmental cooperation on the other. We are currently, however, witnessing a remarkable proliferation of 'new' modes of European governance, such as processes of co-regulation, the Open Method of Coordination (OMC), or the Bologna process, to name just a few. As a result, policy-makers now employ a variety of political steering mechanisms that range from hierarchical direction over majoritarian decision-making, to open coordination and voluntary agreements. In this panel we are looking for empirical and theoretical contributions that explore this great variety in modes of European governance. Some pertinent questions in this context are the following: How can we explain the emergence of 'new' modes of European governance? How do the 'new' modes of European governance manifest themselves in different policy fields? What are the circumstances that lead actors to select specific modes? Are these modes really that 'new' or were they in fact used earlier for example by the Commission (often as a first step towards communitarisation)? What are the problem-solving capacities of different modes and forms of European governance? Do they offer 'superior' solutions in terms of democratic legitimacy? What are (potential) consequences for European governance and European integration in general?

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