Subnational Authorities and the European Union
Compliance in a Multilevel Implementation System
- 2022
- Book
- Author
- Dr. Stephan Lutzenberger
- Book Series
- The Future of Europe
- Publisher
- Springer International Publishing
About this book
The European Union, as a regulatory polity based on integration through law, arguably relies more on legal compliance with its policies than any other political system. Proceeding from this point of departure, this book puts the spotlight on the subnational tier and scrutinizes its role in ensuring compliance. Drawing on a dataset of infringement proceedings against federal and regionalized member states, the book shows that strong shared rule, i.e., strong cooperation between national and subnational authorities, can improve national compliance records. In contrast, policy sectors with strong redistributive consequences impair subnational authorities’ capacity to comply. In short, policy and politics matter more than polity.
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Table of Contents
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Frontmatter
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Chapter 1. Subnational Authorities and Compliance with EU Legislation—A Conceptual Framework
Stephan LutzenbergerThis chapter delves into the evolving role of subnational authorities in the EU, marked by significant political changes since the 1980s. It discusses the emerging concepts of regional development, financial opportunities, and the empowerment of subnational authorities through the partnership principle in cohesion policy. The text introduces a conceptual framework that explains compliance with EU legislation in a multilevel implementation system, addressing both macro- and micro-perspectives. It highlights the varying capacities, costs, and attitudes of subnational authorities and their impact on compliance, offering a nuanced understanding of the complex dynamics at play.AI Generated
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AbstractThe chapter develops an overarching theoretical framework to explain multilevel compliance dynamics in the EU. It links policy-shaping and policy-taking and downscales traditional compliance approaches to the subnational level. Subnational authorities are not only veto players—but they can also influence EU policy-shaping through various channels and are therefore likely to be willing to comply with policies when their shaping attempts have been successful. However, subnational compliance behaviour cannot be explained by policy-shaping alone since subnational authorities are also involved in policy-taking. The conceptual framework suggests that the great heterogeneity of SNAs in terms of resources, costs and benefits of European integration, and attitudes towards the EU further influences subnational compliance behaviour. -
Chapter 2. Politics Beats Polity: Self-Rule, Shared Rule, and Member States’ Compliance
Stephan LutzenbergerThe chapter 'Politics Beats Polity: Self-Rule, Shared Rule, and Member States’ Compliance' delves into the role of subnational authorities (SNAs) in shaping EU policy and their impact on member states' compliance. It argues that SNAs' involvement in policy-shaping through shared rule can mitigate the negative effects of self-rule on compliance. The chapter presents hypotheses derived from compliance literature and tests them using a dataset of infringement proceedings. It highlights that while self-rule can hinder compliance, shared rule can act as a buffer, offering a more nuanced understanding of the complex dynamics between subnational and national authorities in the EU.AI Generated
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AbstractThe chapter investigates the relationship between subnational policy-shaping and a member state’s compliance with EU law. It finds that in member states where SNAs have institutionalized access to policy-shaping through shared rule, compliance behaviour is indeed better than in states where this access is not existent. This finding is exemplified through a diachronic case study: The United Kingdom’s implementation of the Environmental Impact Assessment Directive is compared with the Strategic Environmental Assessment Directive. The comparison reveals that devolution has had a palpable positive impact on the country’s compliance with EU law, due to new mechanisms for institutionalized cooperation between subnational and national authorities. -
Chapter 3. Policy Beats Polity: Complexity, Misfit, and Subnational Authorities’ Compliance
Stephan LutzenbergerThe chapter 'Policy Beats Polity: Complexity, Misfit, and Subnational Authorities’ Compliance' examines the crucial role of subnational authorities (SNAs) in shaping and implementing EU policies. It goes beyond the national level to explore why SNAs comply or fail to comply with EU directives, highlighting the importance of administrative resources, political dynamics, and regional identity. The study uses a quantitative approach to test hypotheses about compliance, revealing significant variation in transposition delays and compliance rates across regions. It also discusses the challenges and opportunities SNAs face in a federal and regionalized Europe, shedding light on the complex factors influencing their behavior. The chapter offers a unique perspective on the implementation of EU policies, emphasizing the need for further research into the subnational level.AI Generated
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AbstractThe chapter explores the determinants of compliance on the subnational level. SNAs in the EU are extremely heterogeneous, as far as their capacities, preferences, and attitudes are concerned. A statistical analysis of subnational transposition measures reveals that these differences matter less than expected. Instead, compliance primarily depends on sector-specific variables, such as the amount of redistribution required by a piece of legislation. A synchronic case study of the nitrate directive in Bavaria and Brittany buttresses this finding. The directive caused strong redistributive conflicts between farmers, environmental organizations, and public authorities. This in turn led to long-lasting non-compliance problems in both regions. -
Chapter 4. Conclusion: The Need for Multilevel Cooperation
Stephan LutzenbergerThe chapter delves into the crucial role of subnational authorities (SNAs) in shaping and taking EU policies, challenging the traditional view that they hinder integration. It highlights the importance of multilevel cooperation and provides concrete recommendations for policymakers to enhance compliance. The findings emphasize the significance of vertical coordination and the need to address redistributive conflicts on the subnational level. The chapter also underscores the potential of the Committee of the Regions and the importance of policy learning between different EU bodies. By offering a comprehensive analysis and practical advice, the chapter seeks to contribute to a more effective and cohesive European political project.AI Generated
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AbstractThis book asked the question “How can subnational authorities influence compliance in the European multilevel implementation system?” The answer to the question belies the traditional view according to which SNAs are in the way of an ever-closer union.
- Title
- Subnational Authorities and the European Union
- Author
-
Dr. Stephan Lutzenberger
- Copyright Year
- 2022
- Publisher
- Springer International Publishing
- Electronic ISBN
- 978-3-030-94976-1
- Print ISBN
- 978-3-030-94975-4
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-94976-1
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