How does knowledge circulate in a regulatory network? Observing a European Platform of Regulatory Authorities meeting

Abstract

Multi-level networks of regulatory authorities are considered as vectors of knowledge circulation, norm diffusion, and regulatory coordination. However, this is often assumed without empirical scrutiny of the concrete "micro-dynamics" between individual participants in networks, which remain a "black box" for analysts. This paper is mainly based on direct observation and informal interviews conducted during a meeting of the European Platform of Regulatory Authorities in charge of regulation of the broadcasting sector. It seeks to elucidate what deliberation, socialization, and learning, considered as devices typical of "soft" governance modes, mean as concrete social practices within a network.

Regulatory relationships across levels of multilevel governance systems: From collaboration to competition

“…The socialization mechanisms underpinning regulatory networks are important: regulators exchange information, learn from each other, and eventually become better professionals (Bianculli, 2013;Papadopoulos, 2017). However, mere socialization does not appear to warrant the complexity of NARUC's organizational structure and the multiplicity of its activities.…”

The drivers of regulatory networking: policy learning between homophily and convergence

“…In a recent contribution on the European network of broadcasting regulators, Papadopoulos (2017) emphasises that regulators learn from peers they hold in high esteem and/or who are facing problems perceived as similar, but does not explore this pattern any further. In their study of the European network of patent judges, Lazega et al find that "It is clear that judges do sort each other in social networks based on their belonging to blocks of countries with similar types of capitalism" (2017,19).…”

The European Semester: Democratic Weaknesses as Limits to Learning

“…Moreover, adopting Zeitlin's (: 1074) own definition, “experimentalist” forms of governance are those in which “both the goals themselves and the means for achieving them are explicitly conceived as provisional and subject to revision in light of experience” and which are embedded in uncertain environments in which “a multi‐polar distribution of power means that no single actor can impose their preferred solution without taking into account the views of others.” Today the ES does not qualify as an experimentalist form of governance as it does not allow for the opportunity to challenge the fundamental principles of budgetary policy, and one can hardly talk about multipolarity in power distribution, given the asymmetries in EU economic governance recalled above. Finally, although the optimistic view of the ES is substantiated by meticulous study of official documents and by many interviews with involved actors over a long period, such an approach may present some methodological limitations: an ethnographic account based on the direct observation of “micro‐practices” in another European forum designed with the goal of mutual learning offered a less “rosy” depiction of processes of knowledge circulation, both with regard to power asymmetries and to limits to learning (Papadopoulos, ).…”

“…Today the ES does not qualify as an experimentalist form of governance as it does not allow for the opportunity to challenge the fundamental principles of budgetary policy, and one can hardly talk about multipolarity in power distribution, given the asymmetries in EU economic governance recalled above. Finally, although the optimistic view of the ES is substantiated by meticulous study of official documents and by many interviews with involved actors over a long period, such an approach may present some methodological limitations: an ethnographic account based on the direct observation of "micro-practices" in another European forum designed with the goal of mutual learning offered a less "rosy" depiction of processes of knowledge circulation, both with regard to power asymmetries and to limits to learning (Papadopoulos, 2018).…”