Administrative Reforms in Europe at the Beginning of the Twenty-First Century

By Giulio Napolitano

 

Administrative reforms in Europe at the beginning of the twenty-first century take place in a very different context from that existing at the end of the twentieth century. This is why recipes and solutions are partially different, as is clear from a comparative analysis of the recent experiences in the United Kingdom, France and Spain. On one hand, due to the economic and financial crisis, privatizations and deregulations no longer represent a magic recipe. On the other, albeit slowly, the digital revolution is transforming the everyday operation of public entities and pushes for a rethinking of the rules governing the administrative procedure and transparency. In any case, the reform’s success requires a strong political leadership and a proper monitoring of its effective implementation.