Universität zu Köln

Höing, Oliver (2015). Asymmetric Influence: National Parliaments in the European Stability Mechanism. PhD thesis, Universität zu Köln.

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Abstract

The objective of this dissertation is to identify the determinants of parliamentary involvement in the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU). Specifically, this project investigates the formal participation rights of 18 Eurozone parliaments within the European Stability Mechanism (ESM) and develops a typology of parliamentary ESM involvement. A qualitative comparative analysis (QCA) has been conducted for the period 2010-2012, complemented by 29 expert interviews from four countries. Why have some parliaments adopted firm participation rights within the ESM while others have not? And what effect does this have on accountability relations within the Economic and Monetary Union? The analysis has revealed a favourable macro-economic situation to be decisive for the adoption of strong parliamentary participation rights. Eurosceptical sentiments, on the other side, hardly play a role. In particular, the simultaneous presence of a favourable macro-economic situation and previously strong powers in EU affairs is a strong indicator for firm parliamentary ESM prerogatives. Two donor countries (Austria and Germany) and two debtor countries (Ireland and Portugal) are analysed in order to investigate the parliamentary day-to-day handling of ESM affairs. Theoretically speaking, strong parliamentary ESM involvement can potentially legitimise decision-making in the Economic and Monetary Union. The current asymmetric parliamentary involvement, however, only marginally increases the overall input-legitimacy of the European Stability Mechanism. One effect of parliamentary involvement is the politicization of EMU decision-making with potential spill-over effects to other policy areas.

Item Type:	Thesis (PhD thesis)
Creators:	Creators Email ORCID ORCID Put Code Höing, Oliver oliver.hoeing@uni-koeln.de UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED
Corporate Creators:	Universität zu Köln
URN:	urn:nbn:de:hbz:38-64855
Date:	12 December 2015
Language:	English
Faculty:	Faculty of Management, Economy and Social Sciences
Divisions:	Weitere Institute, Arbeits- und Forschungsgruppen > Department of Political Science and European Affairs
Subjects:	Political science
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Keywords Language Accountability; European Stability Mechanism; National Parliaments; Parliamentary Participation Rights; Qualitative Comparative Analysis English
Date of oral exam:	24 June 2015
Referee:	Name Academic Title Wessels, Wolfgang Prof. Dr. Neuhold, Christine Prof. Dr.
Refereed:	Yes
URI:	http://kups.ub.uni-koeln.de/id/eprint/6485