The Determinants of Portfolio Structures in Europe

Abstract

This panel invites papers studying portfolio changes in Western European governments at all organisational levels. We are particularly interested in papers testing novel theoretical approaches and hypotheses, including comparative politics (coalition bargains, delegation theory, agenda theory etc.) and comparative public administration and organisation theory (path dependency, population ecology, bureau-shaping, etc.). Likewise, we aim for papers with a rigorous methodological approach, applying quantitative and/or qualitative methods. Lastly, our empirical research interest addresses European democracies and we are interested in comparative papers, studying inertia and dynamics of portfolio structures across time, portfolios, and countries.