Towards a European administrative space?

Abstract

Has there been a trend towards a "European administrative space', understood as convergence on a common European model? How can we recognize an EAS if one has emerged? A methodological purist can with good reason argue that we lack the concepts, methodology and data to answer such questions. A more pragmatic approach is to accept that the public administration is a key institution of government and that understanding administrative change is an important part of comprehending ongoing transformations in the European political order. So far no unitary administrative model has emerged and differentiation is still a core characteristic. Yet administrative variance and disparities have been reduced. Common institutions have been established. Domestic ones have been adapted to European standards and administrative law has been harmonized. The challenge then is to develop analytical models with explanatory power that gives a better comprehension of administrative change.