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<p>This research proposed to look at quality standards of evaluations in economic and financial respect undertaken on behalf of the European Commission in order to assess the performance of its development assistancein a policy-driven context. the research found that evaluation on the basis of an individual project is often flawed and lacks quality in terms of the applied evaluation method.</p>

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<p>This research proposed to look at quality standards of evaluations in economic and financial respect undertaken on behalf of the European Commission in order to assess the performance of its development assistancein a policy-driven context. the research found that evaluation on the basis of an individual project is often flawed and lacks quality in terms of the applied evaluation method.</p>

This thesis explores the following research question: what factors explain the relationship between levels of government over the implementation of European Union regional policy? Debates in political science and economics in the late 1980s and early 1990s considered whether a Europe of the Regions provided a model for the future economic and political order of Europe. Although these debates informed our understanding of European Union policy making, they have now moved on. The theoretical framework for this thesis tests the extent to which European integration can be explained by processes of multi-level governance, and not by the previously dominant systems of intergovernmentalism. Furthermore, much of the previous theoretical work on European integration has drawn from the earlier stages of policy making (on budgetary decisions, and on institutional and regulatory design). This thesis considers instead the neglected area of the implementation of the Structural Funds in two regions (Yorkshire and Humberside, and Lorraine). Using policy networks tools of analysis it tests the explanatory capability of multi-level governance in the following areas: the variation in policy implementation between the United Kingdom and France; the patterns of resource mobilisation in policy implementation; and the formation of regional economic strategies. The main findings of this thesis show that where domestic regional policy frameworks are weak (e.g. in the United Kingdom), the European Commission has been able to effectively mobilise resources at critical phases of policy implementation - such as during the negotiation of economic strategies. However, over the longer term, the direction the Structural Funds have taken is driven by actors and institutions outside those directly involved in the implementation of the Structural Funds. That is, both DG XVI of the European Commission and the regions themselves have limited opportunities to influence the course of European political integration.

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This diploma thesis examines the issue of the roaming regulation. The goal was to find out whether it had been necessary to regulate roaming prices at the EU level and what consequences it has and will have for individuals in the market - especially consumers, mobile operators, politicians, and also for the single European market. The basic hypothesis is that the roaming regulation will ultimately lead to a reduction in consumer utility, and therefore there is no substantial improvement to the single European market. The first part describes current developments in the roaming regulation and presents arguments for and against regulation. The second part then discusses the presented arguments. The impact on various market players is examined using the available data.

<p>The reform of the European Commission has been on the EU agenda for more than three decades. The attempts to introduce an overhaul of the Commission’s institutional structure has been motivated predominantly by the fact that the efficiency of the functioning of the European Commission has been in decline. Despite the striking need to restore the Commission's efficiency, which has become even more urgent in the last decade, the attempts to improve its modus operandi have been marked by many obstacles, difficulties and delays.</p><p>This thesis aims to analyze and explain why the process of reforming the European Commission has been so problematic. In order to achieve this goal, the theoretical framework of historical institutionalism has been utilized. More precisely, we mainly build on the work of Paul Pierson, whose concepts help us understand the reasons behind the failure of a number of reform plans regarding the Commission and clarify why the institutional structure of the European Commission is characterized by a high degree of stability.</p>

The reform of the European Commission has been on the EU agenda for more than three decades. The attempts to introduce an overhaul of the Commission’s institutional structure has been motivated predominantly by the fact that the efficiency of the functioning of the European Commission has been in decline. Despite the striking need to restore the Commission's efficiency, which has become even more urgent in the last decade, the attempts to improve its modus operandi have been marked by many obstacles, difficulties and delays. This thesis aims to analyze and explain why the process of reforming the European Commission has been so problematic. In order to achieve this goal, the theoretical framework of historical institutionalism has been utilized. More precisely, we mainly build on the work of Paul Pierson, whose concepts help us understand the reasons behind the failure of a number of reform plans regarding the Commission and clarify why the institutional structure of the European Commission is characterized by a high degree of stability.

No description available.