This thesis examines the effects of negotiation context on the performance of member states in intergovernmental negotiations in the European Union. Drawing on the case of the Stability and Growth Pact, this thesis considers the distinction between negotiations that aim to establish original EU-level policy, versus those that aim to reform existing EU-level policy, and the impact this has on the outcome of negotiations vis-à-vis states’ positions. The original, policy-making negotiations are referred to as ‘uploading’ negotiations, and the reform negotiations are referred to as ‘reuploading’ negotiations. The main research question to be answered is: Do differences between ‘uploading’ and ‘reuploading’ negotiations affect member state negotiation performance in each? While the EU literature has tended to reveal a disproportionate level of influence by big member states, there is a lack of consideration given to the context in which negotiations take place, and how that impacts on the potential for states to influence negotiation outcomes, as well as to the specific mechanisms for influence. This project fills that gap, using an in-depth, qualitative study of the performance of Belgium, France, Germany and the Netherlands, in the ‘uploading’ and ‘reuploading’ negotiations over the SGP, in order to draw conclusions regarding the effects of specific bargaining resources on the potential for member states to influence negotiations, as well as the way in which negotiation context mediates the utility of those resources. In so doing, this thesis generates a host of interesting conclusions, and contributes to a wide range of literatures, from empirical, conceptual and theoretical standpoints, ultimately demonstrating that it is essential to consider both bargaining resources and negotiation context, in order to understand negotiation outcomes, and the influence of individual member states, in intergovernmental negotiations over EU policy.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:bl.uk/oai:ethos.bl.uk:602869 |
| Date | January 2014 |
| Creators | Fuchs, S. |
| Publisher | University College London (University of London) |
| Source Sets | Ethos UK |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Electronic Thesis or Dissertation |
| Source | http://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/1417139/ |
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