Administrative styles in the European Commission and the OSCE Secretariat: striking similarities despite different organizational settings

Abstract:

With the growing importance of international institutions for global governance, international bureaucracies gain increasing influence on policy-making. Whereas for national bureaucracies specific administrative styles have been identified, this contribution explores for the first time administrative styles of two international organizations. The European Union (EU) Commission and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) represent most different cases in matters of scope, autonomy and resources. The analysis of their specific patterns of policy initiation, policy formulation and policy implementation reveals striking similarities. Both organizations have developed an entrepreneurial style in policy initiation, a strategic approach to policy formulation and a mediating implementation style. These similarities lead to a paradox of weakness in the case of the OSCE and a paradox of strength in the case of the EU. These paradoxes can be understood by taking a closer look at the specific settings in which they are operating, in particular their dependence on member state resources and political support.