The Commission and Implementation in the European Union: Is There an Implementation Deficit and Why?

Abstract

The frequently identified tension in the study of the European Union (EU) between international relations approaches and comparative politics approaches persists. Both approaches are absorbed with the great questions of sovereignty and the future shape of the political system in Europe. We more mundane scholars, however, can identify a political system already in place, already churning out a large number of laws and regulations which are implemented through somewhat cumbersome mechanisms. Attention to the great issues, important as they are, may deflect attention from the workings of the system that already exists and especially from ‘boring’ administrative questions such as policy implementation.