Abstract
This article re-assesses the multi-level governance debate and specifically the 'renationalization thesis', with respect to EU cohesion policy. It focuses on two of the principles of decision-making under the structural funds: concentration (decisions on where the money is spent) and programming (decisions on how it is spent). The analysis takes a longitudinal approach, examining each of the policy phases from 1988 until the recent debate on the 2007-13 period. The article concludes that the role of national governments (relative to the European Commission) in key decisions on the implementation of cohesion policy has been exaggerated in the literature and that important arguments underpinning the 'renationalization thesis' are flawed.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 535-564 |
| Number of pages | 29 |
| Journal | Journal of Common Market Studies |
| Volume | 45 |
| Issue number | 3 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 13 Aug 2007 |
Keywords
- EU
- cohesion policy
- national governments
- governments
- spending
- finance
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Dive into the research topics of 'Who governs EU cohesion policy? deconstructing the reforms of the structural funds'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.Impacts
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Impact of research on the implementation of EU Cohesion policy on the European Commission's legislative proposals for the reform of the policy
John Bachtler (Participant), Laura Polverari (Participant), Carlos Mendez (Participant), Martin Ferry (Participant), Irene McMaster (Participant) & Rona Michie (Participant)
Impact: Impact - for External Portal › Policy and legislation, Economic and commerce
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