Private muddling through as a political programme? The role of the European commission in the telecommunications sector in the 1980s

West European Politics

Volumn 19, Issue 3, 1996, Pages 547-562

  Esser, Josef ^a   Noppe, Ronald ^a  

^a GOETHE UNIVERSITY   (Germany)

Author keywords

[No Author keywords available]

Indexed keywords

EUROPEAN COMMISSION; INFRASTRUCTURE PLANNING; POLICY MAKING; TELECOMMUNICATIONS POLICY; TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURE;

EUROPE, (WEST);

EID: 0030431305     PISSN: 01402382     EISSN: None     Source Type: Journal    
DOI: 10.1080/01402389608425150     Document Type: Article

References (59)

1. See H. Flam, 'Corporate Actors: Definition, Genesis and Interaction', MPIFG Discussion Paper 90/11 (Köln 1990) and G. Fuchs, 'Politikkoordination in der Europäischen Gemeinschaft: Die Initiative zur Entwicklung einer transeuropäischen Telekommuni-kationsinfrastruktur: ISDN', in G. Becher and W. Süß (eds.) Technologieent-wicklung in Europa (Berlin: Duncker & Humblot 1993) pp.181-205; and V. Schneider and R. Werle, 'Die Eroberung eines Politikfeldes. Die Europäische Gemeinschaft in der Telekommunikationspolitik', in T. Ellwein et al. (eds.) Jahrbuch zur Staats- und Verwaltungswissenschaft, Vol. 2 (Baden-Baden: Nomos 1989) pp.247-72; V. Schneider and R. Werle, 'International Regime or Corporate Actor? The European Community in Telecommunications Policy', in K. Dyson and P. Humphreys (eds.) The Political Economy of Communications (London: Routledge 1990) pp.77-106; and G. Dang-Nguyen, V. Schneider and R. Werle, 'Corporate Actor Networks in European Policy Making: Harmonising Telecommunications Policy Making'. MPIFG Discussion Paper 93/4 (Köln 1993).
2. See H. Flam, 'Corporate Actors: Definition, Genesis and Interaction', MPIFG Discussion Paper 90/11 (Köln 1990) and G. Fuchs, 'Politikkoordination in der Europäischen Gemeinschaft: Die Initiative zur Entwicklung einer transeuropäischen Telekommuni-kationsinfrastruktur: ISDN', in G. Becher and W. Süß (eds.) Technologieent-wicklung in Europa (Berlin: Duncker & Humblot 1993) pp.181-205; and V. Schneider and R. Werle, 'Die Eroberung eines Politikfeldes. Die Europäische Gemeinschaft in der Telekommunikationspolitik', in T. Ellwein et al. (eds.) Jahrbuch zur Staats- und Verwaltungswissenschaft, Vol. 2 (Baden-Baden: Nomos 1989) pp.247-72; V. Schneider and R. Werle, 'International Regime or Corporate Actor? The European Community in Telecommunications Policy', in K. Dyson and P. Humphreys (eds.) The Political Economy of Communications (London: Routledge 1990) pp.77-106; and G. Dang-Nguyen, V. Schneider and R. Werle, 'Corporate Actor Networks in European Policy Making: Harmonising Telecommunications Policy Making'. MPIFG Discussion Paper 93/4 (Köln 1993).
3. See H. Flam, 'Corporate Actors: Definition, Genesis and Interaction', MPIFG Discussion Paper 90/11 (Köln 1990) and G. Fuchs, 'Politikkoordination in der Europäischen Gemeinschaft: Die Initiative zur Entwicklung einer transeuropäischen Telekommuni-kationsinfrastruktur: ISDN', in G. Becher and W. Süß (eds.) Technologieent-wicklung in Europa (Berlin: Duncker & Humblot 1993) pp.181-205; and V. Schneider and R. Werle, 'Die Eroberung eines Politikfeldes. Die Europäische Gemeinschaft in der Telekommunikationspolitik', in T. Ellwein et al. (eds.) Jahrbuch zur Staats- und Verwaltungswissenschaft, Vol. 2 (Baden-Baden: Nomos 1989) pp.247-72; V. Schneider and R. Werle, 'International Regime or Corporate Actor? The European Community in Telecommunications Policy', in K. Dyson and P. Humphreys (eds.) The Political Economy of Communications (London: Routledge 1990) pp.77-106; and G. Dang-Nguyen, V. Schneider and R. Werle, 'Corporate Actor Networks in European Policy Making: Harmonising Telecommunications Policy Making'. MPIFG Discussion Paper 93/4 (Köln 1993).
4. See H. Flam, 'Corporate Actors: Definition, Genesis and Interaction', MPIFG Discussion Paper 90/11 (Köln 1990) and G. Fuchs, 'Politikkoordination in der Europäischen Gemeinschaft: Die Initiative zur Entwicklung einer transeuropäischen Telekommuni-kationsinfrastruktur: ISDN', in G. Becher and W. Süß (eds.) Technologieent-wicklung in Europa (Berlin: Duncker & Humblot 1993) pp.181-205; and V. Schneider and R. Werle, 'Die Eroberung eines Politikfeldes. Die Europäische Gemeinschaft in der Telekommunikationspolitik', in T. Ellwein et al. (eds.) Jahrbuch zur Staats- und Verwaltungswissenschaft, Vol. 2 (Baden-Baden: Nomos 1989) pp.247-72; V. Schneider and R. Werle, 'International Regime or Corporate Actor? The European Community in Telecommunications Policy', in K. Dyson and P. Humphreys (eds.) The Political Economy of Communications (London: Routledge 1990) pp.77-106; and G. Dang-Nguyen, V. Schneider and R. Werle, 'Corporate Actor Networks in European Policy Making: Harmonising Telecommunications Policy Making'. MPIFG Discussion Paper 93/4 (Köln 1993).
5. See H. Flam, 'Corporate Actors: Definition, Genesis and Interaction', MPIFG Discussion Paper 90/11 (Köln 1990) and G. Fuchs, 'Politikkoordination in der Europäischen Gemeinschaft: Die Initiative zur Entwicklung einer transeuropäischen Telekommuni-kationsinfrastruktur: ISDN', in G. Becher and W. Süß (eds.) Technologieent-wicklung in Europa (Berlin: Duncker & Humblot 1993) pp.181-205; and V. Schneider and R. Werle, 'Die Eroberung eines Politikfeldes. Die Europäische Gemeinschaft in der Telekommunikationspolitik', in T. Ellwein et al. (eds.) Jahrbuch zur Staats- und Verwaltungswissenschaft, Vol. 2 (Baden-Baden: Nomos 1989) pp.247-72; V. Schneider and R. Werle, 'International Regime or Corporate Actor? The European Community in Telecommunications Policy', in K. Dyson and P. Humphreys (eds.) The Political Economy of Communications (London: Routledge 1990) pp.77-106; and G. Dang-Nguyen, V. Schneider and R. Werle, 'Corporate Actor Networks in European Policy Making: Harmonising Telecommunications Policy Making'. MPIFG Discussion Paper 93/4 (Köln 1993).
6. See B. Marin and R. Mayntz (eds.) Policy Networks. Empirical Evidence and Theoretical Considerations, (Frankfurt a.M./NY: Campus 1992); J. Peterson, Technology Policy in Europe: Explaining the Framework Programme and EUREKA in Theory and Practice', Jnl of Common Market Studies 29/3 (March 1992), pp.269-90; and idem, 'Policy Networks and European Union Policy Making: a Reply to Kassim', West European Politics 18/2 (April 1995) pp.389-407.
7. See B. Marin and R. Mayntz (eds.) Policy Networks. Empirical Evidence and Theoretical Considerations, (Frankfurt a.M./NY: Campus 1992); J. Peterson, Technology Policy in Europe: Explaining the Framework Programme and EUREKA in Theory and Practice', Jnl of Common Market Studies 29/3 (March 1992), pp.269-90; and idem, 'Policy Networks and European Union Policy Making: a Reply to Kassim', West European Politics 18/2 (April 1995) pp.389-407.
8. See B. Marin and R. Mayntz (eds.) Policy Networks. Empirical Evidence and Theoretical Considerations, (Frankfurt a.M./NY: Campus 1992); J. Peterson, Technology Policy in Europe: Explaining the Framework Programme and EUREKA in Theory and Practice', Jnl of Common Market Studies 29/3 (March 1992), pp.269-90; and idem, 'Policy Networks and European Union Policy Making: a Reply to Kassim', West European Politics 18/2 (April 1995) pp.389-407.
9. See E. Grande, 'Forschungspolitik und die Einflußlogik europäischer Politikverflechtung'.Paper presented in the working group 'Europäische Integration' at the 19th DVPW Congress, Potsdam 25-28 Aug. 1995; idem and J. Häusler, Industrieforschung und Forschungspolitik. Staatliche Steuerungspotentiale in der Informationstechnik (Frankfurt a.M./NY: Campus 1995); and E. Grande, 'Die Technologiepolitik der EU: Fragestellungen und Forschungsperspektiven für die Politikwissenschaft', in idem et al. (eds.) Die Technologiepolitik in Deutschland und Europa, Femuniversität Hagen working papers (Hagen 1995) pp. 15-39.
10. See E. Grande, 'Forschungspolitik und die Einflußlogik europäischer Politikverflechtung'.Paper presented in the working group 'Europäische Integration' at the 19th DVPW Congress, Potsdam 25-28 Aug. 1995; idem and J. Häusler, Industrieforschung und Forschungspolitik. Staatliche Steuerungspotentiale in der Informationstechnik (Frankfurt a.M./NY: Campus 1995); and E. Grande, 'Die Technologiepolitik der EU: Fragestellungen und Forschungsperspektiven für die Politikwissenschaft', in idem et al. (eds.) Die Technologiepolitik in Deutschland und Europa, Femuniversität Hagen working papers (Hagen 1995) pp. 15-39.
11. See E. Grande, 'Forschungspolitik und die Einflußlogik europäischer Politikverflechtung'.Paper presented in the working group 'Europäische Integration' at the 19th DVPW Congress, Potsdam 25-28 Aug. 1995; idem and J. Häusler, Industrieforschung und Forschungspolitik. Staatliche Steuerungspotentiale in der Informationstechnik (Frankfurt a.M./NY: Campus 1995); and E. Grande, 'Die Technologiepolitik der EU: Fragestellungen und Forschungsperspektiven für die Politikwissenschaft', in idem et al. (eds.) Die Technologiepolitik in Deutschland und Europa, Femuniversität Hagen working papers (Hagen 1995) pp. 15-39.
12. In this project, which is supported financially by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (German Society for the Advancement of Research), we explore the question as to whether a genuine European strategy of technological development - in our jargon, a European technological norm - is being established in the course of the worldwide restructuring of the field of telecommunications. In our research to date, we have studied, firstly, the development of the telecommunications sectors in France, Great Britain and Germany with regard to the development of the global market. Second, we analyse the European telecommunications policy, particularly the research and development programme RACE, which evolved from this policy. Joining the authors in this project are Guido Felhölter, Thomas Lemke, Boy Lüthje and Karin Waringo. See also, J. Esser et al. Institutionalisierung transnationaler Technologiestrategien - Europäische Forschungs- und Technologiepolitik im informations- und kommunikationstechnischen Industriesektor (Frankfurt 1995).
13. See Schneider and Werle, 'Die Eroberung eines Politikfeldes' (note 1) pp.247-48; Schneider and Werle, 'International Regime or Corporate Actor?' (note 1).
14. See Schneider and Werle, 'Die Eroberung eines Politikfeldes' (note 1) pp.247-48; Schneider and Werle, 'International Regime or Corporate Actor?' (note 1).
15. See J.S. Coleman, Power and the Structure of Society (NY: Norton 1974).
16. Schneider and Werle, (note 1) pp.247-8; idem, 'International Regime or Corporate Actor?' (note 1) p.80.
17. See W. Sandholtz, High-Tech Europe. The Politics of International Co-operation (Berkeley: U. California Press 1992); 'ESPRIT and the Politics of International Collective Action', Jnl of Common Market Studies 30/1 (March 1992) pp.1-21.
18. See W. Sandholtz, High-Tech Europe. The Politics of International Co-operation (Berkeley: U. California Press 1992); 'ESPRIT and the Politics of International Collective Action', Jnl of Common Market Studies 30/1 (March 1992) pp.1-21.
19. See note 2 and for a critical discussion: H. Kassim, 'Policy Networks and European Union Policy Making: a Sceptical View', West Europen Politics 17/4 (Oct. 1994) pp.15-27; K. Dowding, 'Model or Metaphor? A Critical Review of the Policy Network Approach', Political Studies 43 (1995) pp.136-58.
20. See note 2 and for a critical discussion: H. Kassim, 'Policy Networks and European Union Policy Making: a Sceptical View', West Europen Politics 17/4 (Oct. 1994) pp.15-27; K. Dowding, 'Model or Metaphor? A Critical Review of the Policy Network Approach', Political Studies 43 (1995) pp.136-58.
21. Peterson, 'Policy Networks and European Policy Making' (note 2) p.391.
22. Ibid, p.391.
23. Peterson, 'Technology Policy in Europe: Explaining the Framework Programme and EUREKA' (note 2) p.273 f.; and from a critical point of view M. Felder, 'Auf der Suche nach einem neuen technologischen Paradigma? Steuerungstheoretische Überlegungen zur europäischen Forschungs- und Technologiepolitik', in H.-J. Bieling and F. Deppe (eds.) Entwicklungsprobleme des europäischen Kapitalismus, Studien der Forschungsgruppe Europäische Gemeinschaften (FEG) No.4 (Marburg 1994) p. 141.
24. Peterson, 'Technology Policy in Europe: Explaining the Framework Programme and EUREKA' (note 2) p.273 f.; and from a critical point of view M. Felder, 'Auf der Suche nach einem neuen technologischen Paradigma? Steuerungstheoretische Überlegungen zur europäischen Forschungs- und Technologiepolitik', in H.-J. Bieling and F. Deppe (eds.) Entwicklungsprobleme des europäischen Kapitalismus, Studien der Forschungsgruppe Europäische Gemeinschaften (FEG) No.4 (Marburg 1994) p. 141.
25. E. Grande, 'Forschungspolitik' (note 3) p.22.
26. Ibid. p.29.
27. R. Mayntz, 'Governing Failures and the Problem of Governability: Some Comments on a Theoretical Paradigm', in J. Kooimann (ed.) Modern Governance - New Government - Society Interactions (London: Sage 1993); and R. Mayntz, 'Politische Steuerung und gesellschaftliche Steuerungsprobleme - Anmerkungen zu einem theoretischen Pradigma', in Ellwein et al. (note 1) Vol.1 (ibid. 1987) p.93.
28. R. Mayntz, 'Governing Failures and the Problem of Governability: Some Comments on a Theoretical Paradigm', in J. Kooimann (ed.) Modern Governance - New Government - Society Interactions (London: Sage 1993); and R. Mayntz, 'Politische Steuerung und gesellschaftliche Steuerungsprobleme - Anmerkungen zu einem theoretischen Pradigma', in Ellwein et al. (note 1) Vol.1 (ibid. 1987) p.93.
29. See J. Esser, 'Technologieentwicklung in der Triade. Folgen für die europäische Technologiegemeinschaft', in W. Süß, G. Becher (eds.) Politik und Technologieentwicklung in der Triade (Berlin: Duncker & Humblot 1993); R. van Tulder and G. June, European Multinationals in Core Technologies (Geneva, Chichester: Wiley 1988); and R. Petrella, 'Globalization of Technological Innovation', Technology Analysis & Strategic Management, 1/4 (1989) pp.4-19.
30. See J. Esser, 'Technologieentwicklung in der Triade. Folgen für die europäische Technologiegemeinschaft', in W. Süß, G. Becher (eds.) Politik und Technologieentwicklung in der Triade (Berlin: Duncker & Humblot 1993); R. van Tulder and G. June, European Multinationals in Core Technologies (Geneva, Chichester: Wiley 1988); and R. Petrella, 'Globalization of Technological Innovation', Technology Analysis & Strategic Management, 1/4 (1989) pp.4-19.
31. See J. Esser, 'Technologieentwicklung in der Triade. Folgen für die europäische Technologiegemeinschaft', in W. Süß, G. Becher (eds.) Politik und Technologieentwicklung in der Triade (Berlin: Duncker & Humblot 1993); R. van Tulder and G. June, European Multinationals in Core Technologies (Geneva, Chichester: Wiley 1988); and R. Petrella, 'Globalization of Technological Innovation', Technology Analysis & Strategic Management, 1/4 (1989) pp.4-19.
32. See A. Cawson et al. (eds.) Hostile Brothers. Competition and Closure in the European Electronics Industry (Oxford: Clarendon Press 1990).
33. See Schneider and Werle (note 1) p.250.
34. Sandholtz, High-Tech Europe (note 8) p.226 referring to Agence Europe, 29 Sept. 1979, p. 10.
35. Sandholtz, High-Tech Europe (note 8) p.226 referring to Agence Europe, 29 Sept. 1979, p. 10.
36. Idem, ibid, p.226 f.
37. Commission of the European Communities (CEC), 'Communications from the Commission to the Council on Telecommunications: Lines of Action'. COM (83) 573 final.
38. Sandholtz (note 8) p.119.
39. Dang-Nguyen, Schneider and Werle (note 1) p.19.
40. CEC, 'Towards a Dynamic European Economy', Green Paper on the Development of the Common Market for Telecommunications Services and Equipment, COM (87) 290 final, (Brussels 1987).
41. H. Ungerer and N. Costello, Telecommunications in Europe (Luxembourg: Commission of the EC 1989).
42. CEC, COM (87) 290 final (note 24) p.25 ff.
43. Dang-Nguyen, Schneider and Werle (note 1) p.21; Sandholtz, High-Tech Europe (note 8) p.233; V. Schneider, Organised Interests in the European Telecommunications Sector', in J. Greenwood, J.R. Grote and K. Ronit (eds.) Organised Interests and the European Community (London: Sage 1992) p.64.
44. Dang-Nguyen, Schneider and Werle (note 1) p.21; Sandholtz, High-Tech Europe (note 8) p.233; V. Schneider, Organised Interests in the European Telecommunications Sector', in J. Greenwood, J.R. Grote and K. Ronit (eds.) Organised Interests and the European Community (London: Sage 1992) p.64.
45. Dang-Nguyen, Schneider and Werle (note 1) p.22.
46. EG-Rat, 'Entschließung des Rates vom 30. Juni 1988 über die Entwicklung des gemeinsamen Marktes für Telekommunikationsdienste und -geräte bis 1992' (88/C257/01).
47. CEC, Communication of 15 July 1992 on the European telecommunications equipment industry - the state of play, issues at stake and proposals for action, SEC (92) 1049 final.
48. Sandholtz, 'ESPRIT' (note 8) p. 14.
49. Idem, High-Tech Europe (note 8) p.226.
50. The essential 'philosophy' of network development, a so-called IBC network reference model, was developed by the GSLB-PN (Groupe Spécial des Communications à Large Bande - Permanent Nucleus), that is the broadband working group of the CEPT. The activities involving the more technical side were conducted by the broadband group of the ECTEL (European Conference of Telecommunications and Electronics Industries).
51. Kommission der Europäischen Gemeinschaften, 'Vorschlag einer Verordnung des Rates zu einer Aktion der Gemeinschaft auf dem Gebiet der Telekommunikationstechnologien'. RACE (R&D in Advanced Communications Technologies in Europe) Kom (86) 547 final, p.5.
52. Ibid.
53. See T.M. Egyedi, 'Eurocentrism in International Standardisation: the Forces Driving Change'. Contribution at the ITS European Regional Conference 20-22 June 1993, p.11.
54. R. Hawkins, 'Changing Expectations: Voluntary Standards and the Regulation of European Telecommunication', Communications and Strategies (Sept. 1993) p. 13.
55. H. Petri and U. Hawemann, 'Standardisierung ist Chefsache', ZPT 6 (1991) p.55.
56. Egyedi (note 36) p.10; Petri and Havemann (note 38) p.54.
57. Egyedi, ibid. p. 17.
58. Fuchs (note 1) p.191.
59. Kassim (note 9).