The rise of the regulatory state in Europe

TLDR

Privatization and deregulation have created conditions for the rise of the regulatory state, replacing the dirigiste state, with a reliance on regulation rather than public ownership, planning or centralised administration, highlighting its advantages and recognizing its problems. This study examines the growth of regulation in Europe at the national and Community levels. Executive oversight and coordination may be improved by using new public‑management tools such as the regulatory budget or regulatory clearing house. Political accountability can be ensured by a range of substantive and procedural controls, with judicial review being especially important.

Abstract

Privatization and deregulation have created the conditions for the rise of the regulatory state to replace the dirigiste state of the past. Reliance on regulation ‐ rather than public ownership, planning or centralised administration — characterises the methods of the regulatory state. This study examines the growth of regulation in Europe, at the national and Community levels. It stresses the advantages of this mode of policy making, but also recognises its problems. It is suggested that political accountability can be ensured by a variety of substantive and procedural controls, among which judicial review is especially important. Executive oversight and co‐ordination may be improved by using new tools of public management like the regulatory budget or the regulatory clearing house.