TY - JOUR
T1 - Transgovernmental networks in the European Union
T2 - Improving compliance effectively?
AU - Hobolth, Mogens
AU - Martinsen, Dorte Sindbjerg
PY - 2013
Y1 - 2013
N2 - The application of European Union (EU) rules is, in general, the responsibility of national executives. This key intergovernmental aspect of the EU's administrative order makes compliance with supranational law vulnerable to distortion. However, the European executive has added important fire-alarm oversight mechanisms by means of transgovernmental networks (TGNs) to its toolbox. This article examines the work mode, horizontalness and effectiveness of such networks as newer governance tools to oversee and monitor the compliance with EU law. It draws on a unique dataset on the Solvit network, enabling us to examine effectiveness and variation of a transgovernmental network in operation. The article substantiates the relevance of TGNs in identifying and solving manifold and complex problems of misapplied EU law, finds that the Commission constitutes a focal point in this type of multilevel executive and points out that learning in part explains why effectiveness varies across member states.
AB - The application of European Union (EU) rules is, in general, the responsibility of national executives. This key intergovernmental aspect of the EU's administrative order makes compliance with supranational law vulnerable to distortion. However, the European executive has added important fire-alarm oversight mechanisms by means of transgovernmental networks (TGNs) to its toolbox. This article examines the work mode, horizontalness and effectiveness of such networks as newer governance tools to oversee and monitor the compliance with EU law. It draws on a unique dataset on the Solvit network, enabling us to examine effectiveness and variation of a transgovernmental network in operation. The article substantiates the relevance of TGNs in identifying and solving manifold and complex problems of misapplied EU law, finds that the Commission constitutes a focal point in this type of multilevel executive and points out that learning in part explains why effectiveness varies across member states.
KW - Faculty of Social Sciences
KW - Compliance
KW - effectiveness
KW - internal market
KW - multilevel executive
KW - transgovernmental networks
U2 - 10.1080/13501763.2013.800791
DO - 10.1080/13501763.2013.800791
M3 - Journal article
VL - 20
SP - 1406
EP - 1424
JO - Journal of European Public Policy
JF - Journal of European Public Policy
SN - 1350-1763
IS - 10
ER -