Implementing European Union public policy

Book abstract:

During its comparatively short life as a set of institutions, the European Union has experienced rapid growth in size, remit and policy competence. This valuable and detailed study provides a systematic empirical analysis of EU programme management in all of the main spending areas over a twenty year period. After setting out the management framework in each area, Roger Levy looks methodically at audit evidence to build up a comprehensive performance profile. The management of EU spending programmes is subject to almost continual media speculation about its propriety and efficiency. The unprecedented resignation of the Santer Commission en masse in March 1999 was a direct result of its management failures. Using up-to-date original data, this valuable book provides an empirical antidote to much of the speculation that dominates this issue.

Chapter one summarises the broad outlines of the current management frameworks in use, looking at relationships between the supranational and national levels of management. Chapter two establishes a methodology of analysing changes in the quality of management and for deconstructing the management process into its component parts. Using this methodology, chapter three gives an overview of quality change for all programmes by aggregating the data from the different sectors. Chapters four to eight analyse each major spending area in turn, deploying the basic formula used in Chapter three. In addition to the quantitative analysis, there is a qualitative analysis drawn from the European Court of Auditors annual and special reports, the Commission and other secondary sources. In Chapter 9, the author identifies the common themes emerging from the data - issues of staff development, contracting, local capacities, co-ordination, accounting systems and Information Technology strategy. The reform process under the Santer Commission is critically examined and the study concludes with an evaluation of the options for reform.

This accessible analysis will prove invaluable to anyone studying the European Union, as well as European and national government officials, research organisations and pressure groups.

Roger Levy is Professor of Management and Head of Division at Glasgow Caledonian University.