Technocracy is dead: long live bureaucracy! ; On some recent changes to the civil service and the European Commission

In: The European Commission in the Post-Lisbon era of crises: between political leadership and policy management, S. 53-66

Abstract

"This article elaborates on the concept of technocrat, contrasting it with that of a bureaucrat. The impact of the 'Delors heritage' on the administrative culture of the Commission contributed to the perceived politicisation of the Commission that gave way to a 'shifting definition of European administrative excellence' in which 'fundamental skills... [became] subordinated to managerial skills'. A more conservative culture arose that discouraged risk-taking, perhaps explaining the declining leadership role of the Commission." (contract)