Skip to main content

LUP Student Papers

LUND UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES

Three Keys to One Door - A New Institutionalist Analysis of the European Border and Coast Guard

Weykopf, Patricia LU (2017) STVM23 20171
Department of Political Science
Abstract
In October 2016 the European Border and Coast Guard [EBCG] was installed as the new
institutional structure responsible for border management. In contrast to its predecessor
Frontex, the EBCG consists not only of an agency but also of the respective national authorities,
responsible for border management and coastguard functions. A better understanding of the
creation of the EBCG is needed because of the establishment’s particularities: it replaced an
existing agency with a new system, was conducted in a rapid manner of only six months and
moreover occurred in a highly sensitive area, touching upon nation state sovereignty, usually
preventing radical changes.
By utilizing the three main branches of the new institutionalism –... (More)
In October 2016 the European Border and Coast Guard [EBCG] was installed as the new
institutional structure responsible for border management. In contrast to its predecessor
Frontex, the EBCG consists not only of an agency but also of the respective national authorities,
responsible for border management and coastguard functions. A better understanding of the
creation of the EBCG is needed because of the establishment’s particularities: it replaced an
existing agency with a new system, was conducted in a rapid manner of only six months and
moreover occurred in a highly sensitive area, touching upon nation state sovereignty, usually
preventing radical changes.
By utilizing the three main branches of the new institutionalism – rational choice, historical and
sociological institutionalism – in a complementary manner, their explanatory value was
directed towards the establishment of the EBCG. The theories were used to highlight various
aspects: historical institutionalism included the assessment of historical and temporal aspects,
sociological institutionalism the drive for legitimacy through isomorphism and the role of
norms, while rational choice institutionalism was used to highlight the envisioned effect of the
new institution to enhance efficiency and the effect of the interinstitutional bargaining.
An overarching discussion on conclusions that can be drawn from this establishment
emphasized the continuous important role of agencies and that integration in border
management remains incremental and heavily constraint by sovereignty-interests.
With this, the thesis contributes to gaining a better understanding of the creation of the EBCG,
albeit not providing a causal understanding of it. It was moreover shown, that there is merit in
using the three branches of new institutionalism in a complementary manner. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Weykopf, Patricia LU
supervisor
organization
course
STVM23 20171
year
type
H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
subject
keywords
new institutionalism, rational choice institutionalism, sociological institutionalism, historical institutionalism, European Border and Coast Guard, border management, integration
language
English
id
8907516
date added to LUP
2017-06-27 15:05:58
date last changed
2017-06-27 15:05:58
@misc{8907516,
  abstract     = {{In October 2016 the European Border and Coast Guard [EBCG] was installed as the new
institutional structure responsible for border management. In contrast to its predecessor
Frontex, the EBCG consists not only of an agency but also of the respective national authorities,
responsible for border management and coastguard functions. A better understanding of the
creation of the EBCG is needed because of the establishment’s particularities: it replaced an
existing agency with a new system, was conducted in a rapid manner of only six months and
moreover occurred in a highly sensitive area, touching upon nation state sovereignty, usually
preventing radical changes.
By utilizing the three main branches of the new institutionalism – rational choice, historical and
sociological institutionalism – in a complementary manner, their explanatory value was
directed towards the establishment of the EBCG. The theories were used to highlight various
aspects: historical institutionalism included the assessment of historical and temporal aspects,
sociological institutionalism the drive for legitimacy through isomorphism and the role of
norms, while rational choice institutionalism was used to highlight the envisioned effect of the
new institution to enhance efficiency and the effect of the interinstitutional bargaining.
An overarching discussion on conclusions that can be drawn from this establishment
emphasized the continuous important role of agencies and that integration in border
management remains incremental and heavily constraint by sovereignty-interests.
With this, the thesis contributes to gaining a better understanding of the creation of the EBCG,
albeit not providing a causal understanding of it. It was moreover shown, that there is merit in
using the three branches of new institutionalism in a complementary manner.}},
  author       = {{Weykopf, Patricia}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{Three Keys to One Door - A New Institutionalist Analysis of the European Border and Coast Guard}},
  year         = {{2017}},
}