The time of European governance

Book abstract:

'I have no time for Europe!' That might be an expression of distaste for Europe but in this work author Magnus Ekengren asks the simple question where do we find the time for Europe? Recognising time not merely as a valuable resource upon which increasing demands are made but also as a dynamic within the equation of policy formulation his study represents an innovative approach to the study of change in Europe.

Organised over 5 chapters the volume addresses the following topics: The temporal dimension of European governance; The oligopoly of the future: the changed status of political promise; Back to the present: new conditions form political action; The recurring past: transformed horizons for policy planning; Institutional implications for European time.

Over the course of the book the author shows how new rhythms and demands on timing and an emphasis on the present have changed the decision-making process and the view of the political future. Mr Ekengren concludes by calling for further empirical research into the processes of spatial and temporal fusion in order to further understand the evolving constitution of European governance.

The book will be of significant interest to postgraduates, academics and researchers in European politics and governance.

Magnus Ekengren is Assistant Professor at the Swedish National Defence College and has served as Deputy Director of the Policy Planning Group of the Swedish Ministry for Foreign Affairs.