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Myths and Myth‐Making in the European Union: The Institutionalization and Interpretation of EU Competition Policy

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  • PINAR AKMAN
  • HUSSEIN KASSIM

Abstract

EU competition policy has become so strongly institutionalized that it is easy to overlook its precarious status in earlier decades. This article argues, first, that the Commission responded to the imperative arising from the extraordinary powers created by the treaty and the novelty of competition policy in post‐war Europe by developing a series of myths to provide justification for its prerogatives. Second, these myths have played a key role in securing acceptance of EU policy, though other factors have also been important. Third, the official mythology has been supplemented by an interpretation which has become dominant in the law and political science literatures; namely, that EU competition policy has ordoliberal origins. This article challenges this view.

Suggested Citation

  • Pinar Akman & Hussein Kassim, 2010. "Myths and Myth‐Making in the European Union: The Institutionalization and Interpretation of EU Competition Policy," Journal of Common Market Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 48(1), pages 111-132, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:jcmkts:v:48:y:2010:i:1:p:111-132
    DOI: 10.1111/j.1468-5965.2009.02044.x
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Drake, William J. & Nicolaïdis, Kalypso, 1992. "Ideas, interests, and institutionalization: “trade in services” and the Uruguay Round," International Organization, Cambridge University Press, vol. 46(1), pages 37-100, January.
    2. repec:bla:jcmkts:v:48:y:2010:i::p:1-19 is not listed on IDEAS
    3. Vincent Della Sala, 2010. "Political Myth, Mythology and the European Union," Journal of Common Market Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 48(1), pages 1-19, January.
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    Cited by:

    1. Nedergaard, Peter, 2013. "The Influence of Ordoliberalism in European Integration Processes - A Framework for Ideational Influence with Competition Policy and the Economic and Monetary Policy as Examples," MPRA Paper 52331, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    2. Patrice Bougette & Oliver Budzinski & Frédéric Marty, 2024. "Ex-ante versus Ex-post in Competition Law Enforcement: Blurred Boundaries and Economic Rationale," Working Papers halshs-04604840, HAL.
    3. Ramon Boixadera Bosch & Ferran Portella Carbó, 2019. "Beyond the euro: Limits to economic policy in the EU," Revista de Economia Critica, Asociacion de Economia Critica, vol. 27, pages 47-58.

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