The problem-solving capacity, and hence the democratic legitimacy, of national governments is being weakened by the dual processes of legal and economic integration in Europe; and the loss is not fully compensated by the development of effective and legitimate problem-solving capabilities at the European level. Professor Scharpf supports his position by examining the normative underpinnings of democratic legitimacy and by a detailed analysis of the structural asymmetry between the effectiveness of the legal instruments of `negative integration' which prevents governments from interfering with the free movements of goods, services, capital, and persons and the political constraints impeding positive political action at the European level. This is particularly true for policies pertaining to the welfare state. Governing in Europe explores strategies at the national level that could succeed in maintaining welfare state goals even under conditions of international economic competition, and it also discusses the conditions under which European policy could play a protective and enabling role with regard to these national solutions. The author suggests that if these opportunities should be used, multi-level governance in Europe could indeed regain both effectiveness and legitimacy.

About the Author
Fritz Scharpf is the Director of the Max-Planck Institute for the Study of Societies at Cologne

Reviews
One of the best studies of European integration in recent years...A brilliant and concise analysis of extraordinarily complex issues. * Foreign Affairs *



Book Information
ISBN 9780198295464
Author Fritz Scharpf
Format Paperback
Page Count 252
Imprint Oxford University Press
Publisher Oxford University Press
Weight(grams) 326g
Dimensions(mm) 216mm * 137mm * 15mm