Research Papers

There is a widespread assumption among European Union (EU) scholars, as well as the general European public, that big member states have more say in EU decision-making. What is less common is some explanation of the mechanisms through which these big states wield influence. To take the assumption that big states perform better in negotiations, then cite examples of negotiations in which big states prevail is to address only part of the puzzle, because this does not tell us how. What is necessary is to ‘open the black box’ of negotiations and examine the specific resources that states utilise in a set of negotiations, to influence the outcome. Using an in-depth study of the EU Stability and Growth Pact (SGP) negotiations, this paper demonstrates the relative influence, or success, of different member states in the policymaking and policy reform phases of negotiations over the SGP. Through a unique focus that considers means of influence other than the typical economic and political power explanations, this paper questions the assumption of Franco-German dominance in the establishment and reform of the SGP, and offers a more complete explanation of how these countries impacted on the SGP negotiations, to the extent that they did wield considerable influence. In so doing, this paper will demonstrate the importance of individual, rather than structural sources of power, which may be found in all states that cultivate and select as representatives individuals that possess these resources for influence.