Europeanization and transnational states. Comparing Nordic central governments

Abstract:

This book arises from long term research into the workings of the state administration in four Nordic countries: Denmark which is a long-standing member of the European Union, Finland and Sweden which became members in 1995 and Norway which is a non-member. It moves on the premise that the expansion of transnational administration is not sufficiently considered in the current debate about Europe and seeks to establish the extent to which changes in the central state governments are related to the increase in EU ambitions and rule making.

The work is organised over seven chapters, the first of which gives the background and theoretical framework for the study. Chapter two explores the impact of the EU on the national administrations and highlights the increasing transnationalisation developing in the relations between the national and European organisations. Chapter three considers the segmentation of states and the increasing attempts to co-ordinate the segments by the EU. Whether or not the changes taking place have any fundamental impact upon the administrative model is examined in chapter four. The transformation that has taken place and the variations evidenced in different countries are explained in chapter five. The challenges presented to democratic ideals by this growing transnationalisation are explored in chapter six, which also considers its probable side effects of increased bureaucracy and other ills. Chapter seven considers the transnational state which might develop from the increased Europeanisation, based upon the study of the four Nordic countries, and presents a more comprehensive view of transnational states.

The work will interest scholars and students engaged in Comparative Politics, EU Studies and European integration and enlargement.