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Privatising public infrastructure within the EU: the interaction between supranational institutions, transnational forces and national governments

Author

Listed:
  • Hans-Jürgen Bieling

    (Professor, Department of Political Science, Philipps-Universität Marburg)

  • Christina Deckwirth

    (Research Assistant and PhD student, Department of Political Science, Philipps-Universität Marburg)

Abstract

Building on research on ten European Union Member States, this article assesses the role of the EU as a driver of privatisation processes in five infrastructure sectors - telecommunications, postal services, railway transport, and energy and water services. Despite national path dependencies - such as economic structures, legal traditions and social forces - the EU is becoming increasingly influential in implementing a specific European regulatory model and thus is generating an emerging European infrastructure market. In spite of their success as global players, the new infrastructure transnational corporations have failed to deliver properly functioning services and to provide decent working conditions. Although political will on the European level to continue the liberalisation process stands firm, conflicts between national governments and the European Commission as well as an increasing Europeanisation of local and national social protests could undermine this consensus.

Suggested Citation

  • Hans-Jürgen Bieling & Christina Deckwirth, 2008. "Privatising public infrastructure within the EU: the interaction between supranational institutions, transnational forces and national governments," Transfer: European Review of Labour and Research, , vol. 14(2), pages 237-257, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:treure:v:14:y:2008:i:2:p:237-257
    DOI: 10.1177/102425890801400206
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Holmes, Peter & Young, Alasdair R., 2002. "Liberalizing and Re-Regulating Telecommunications in Europe: A Common Framework and Persistent Differences," HWWA Discussion Papers 159, Hamburg Institute of International Economics (HWWA).
    2. Schmidt, Vivien A., 2002. "The Futures of European Capitalism," OUP Catalogue, Oxford University Press, number 9780199253685.
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