Europe 2020: The EU Commission and Political Entrepreneurship

Daniel Silander

doi:10.18778/1641-4233.29.07

Authors

Daniel Silander School of Government Studies, North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, South Africa; Linnaeus University, Department of Political Science, Vaxjo, Sweden https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7518-0067

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18778/1641-4233.29.07

Keywords:

European Commission, political entrepreneur, Europe 2020, economic crisis, window of opportunity

Abstract

This study deals with the European Commission and Communication Europe 2020, which was a result of the global economic crisis of 2007–2008 and forward. Europe 2020 was an initiative to deal with the crisis by promoting smart, sustainable, and inclusive growth. The Commission addressed the crisis as an existential threat to Europe, but also as a window of opportunity to build a new prosperous region. This study explores the political entrepreneurial efforts taken by the Commission as well as assesses the outcome of reforms implemented. The Commission has achieved many targets, although some challenges remain unsolved.

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Author Biography

Daniel Silander, School of Government Studies, North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, South Africa; Linnaeus University, Department of Political Science, Vaxjo, Sweden

Daniel Silander is Associate Professor of Political Science and Research Leader of European Studies at Linnaeus University, Sweden. He is also Professor at North-West University, South Africa. His main areas of interests are international security, autocratization and democratization with specific focus on the contemporary democracy-security nexus in international affairs.

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