Archive 2/2014

Mario Kölling
Center of Political and Constitutional Studies, Madrid, Spain
email: mario.koelling@cepc.es

Abstract

It is a widely accepted fact that there are considerable advantages in funding research at the EU level, given that research becomes more efficient when it is undertaken on a larger scale. For this reason, the European Commission proposed the MFF 2014–2020 as a tool to contribute to the Europe 2020 Strategy. This new orientation of the EU budget, together with the lessons learned during the economic crisis, seemed to represent, at the forefront of the MFF negotiations, a critical constellation for change in the nature of the communitarian budget and its conversion into a policy instrument. In this paper, I will analyze both the preferences of the main actors in the negotiations and the negotiating process, as well as the design of the Multi-Annual Financial Framework 2014–2020, asking: How far will the MFF 2014–20 contribute to reaching the goals of the Europe 2020 strategy; is there a new direct political and policy link between the EU budget and the goals of the EU 2020 strategy? *****Dr. Mario Kölling, García Pelayo Fellow, Center of Political and Constitutional Studies (CEPC), Plaza de la Marina Española, 9, 28071 Madrid / Spain, mario.koelling@cepc.es.

Key words

Multiannual Financial Framework 2014–2020; Europe 2020 Strategy; EU budget; EU negotiation

Klaus Detterbeck
Institute for Political Science, Otto von Guericke Universität Magdeburg, Germany
email: klaus.detterbeck@ovgu.de

Abstract

As innovation policy becomes an important part of political reality, various perspectives for researching it may be adopted. For example, innovation policy plays a vital role in the Europe 2020 strategy, which is now the most important, influential document shaping the economies of EU member states. This article analyses the Europe 2020 strategy in terms of the role played by the regional level of governance and in terms of the importance of innovation policy for the strategy. Using an institutionalist approach, the article concludes that regions will vary in their performance in innovation policy in tandem with their governance capacities.

Key words

Innovation policy; Europe 2020; regions; multilevel governance

Vratislav Havlík
Department of International Relations and European Studies and International
Institute of Political Science, Faculty of Social Studies, Masaryk University, Czech Republic
email: v.havlik@centrum.cz

Abstract

The paper uses the example of Czech and German cities to examine the involvement of the local sphere in multilevel EU governance. Under some conceptualizations (multilevel governance, Europeanization and paradiplomacy), cities are perceived to be relevant actors. However, the range of their competencies and opportunities to create EU politics appears rather unclear and has been left largely unexplored. The inclusion of the local sphere in the concept of multilevel governance is often merely declaratory in character, without offering a clear definition of what is meant by its involvement in practice, what its nature and scope are and what restrictions apply. This paper attempts to initiate a discussion on the role played by cities as the fourth level in European governance and use research to data-map the role played by cities in European policymaking.

Key words

Multilevel governance; Europeanization; paradiplomacy; partnership; regional policy; Czech and German cities

Romana Sălăgeanu
Otto-von-Guericke University, Magdeburg, Germany
email: romana.salageanu@gmail.com

Abstract

Looking from a regional perspective at the interests of regions and what they can and would do to achieve their goals, this paper analyzes the contribution made by regional politics to European policymaking processes by examining the activities of the German Land Saxony-Anhalt in a discussion of transition regions and transitional aid within European cohesion policy. Timing and the successful use of resources and available channels are elements in Saxony-Anhalt’s strategy for early mobilization and addressing its interests at the supranational level (that of the European Commission and the Committee of the Regions), as well as within intrastate channels (Europamininsterkonferenz, Bundesrat).

Key words

regional mobilization; multilevel governance; cohesion policy; transition regions

Abstract

Dahlgren, Peter. 2013. The Political Web: Media, Participation and Alternative Democracy. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan. 208 pages.

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Ormrod, Robert P.; Henneberg, Stephan C. M.; O'Shaughnessy, Nicholas J. 2013. Political Marketing. Theory and Concepts. Los Angeles, London, New Dehli, Singapore, Washington DC: SAGE Publications Inc. 224 pages.

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Polášek, Martin; Novotný, Vilém; Perottino, Michel (et al). 2012. Mezi masovou a kartelovou stranou. Možnosti teorie při výkladu vývoje ČSSD a KSČM v letech 2000-2010. Praha: Sociologické Nakladatelství (SLON). 192 pages.

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