The relationship between civil servants and politicians is as fascinating as it is complex with their mutual interdependence requiring to cooperate despite the ever-present risk of tension and conflict. For reasons of efficiency it is important that the civil service has a certain degree of independence and detachment from the political process. The requirement of democratically legitimate and accountable decision-making however demands control at the political level.This comparative study focuses on the changing relations between civil servants and politicians in the European Union in the last two decades. As well as national case studies this book also looks into politico-administrative relations in supranational institutions such as the European Commission and the European Parliament.

This collection presents the results of a research agenda which examines how information plays a key role in policymaking. As a very dynamic environment characterised by many different modes of information gathering and processing, the EU forms a particularly interesting case to test the politics of information approach.

This collection presents the results of a research agenda which examines how information plays a key role in policymaking. As a very dynamic environment characterized by many different modes of information gathering and processing, the EU forms a particularly interesting case to test the politics of information approach.

This comparative study focuses on the changing relations between civil servants and politicians in the European Union in the last two decades. As well as national case studies this book also looks into politico-administrative relations in supranational institutions such as the European Commission and the European Parliament.