Publication
Title
Does formal independence of regulators change? Evidence from Portuguese agencies
Author
Abstract
The rise of the regulatory state has led to the global diffusion of independent regulatory agencies (IRAs). IRAs are the result of the tension between the functional demands of regulatory capitalism and the need of politicians to control policies. Their life cycles have not been linear. Their legal statuses have changed over time, affecting their degrees of independence. This article revisits Gilardi's formal independence index, makes an in-depth diachronic and cross-sectorial analysis of 11 regulatory bodies in Portugal, and searches for explanations for the observed variations. It concludes that the formal independence of IRAs tends to increase due to external pressure and the need of governments to project credible commitment, but principals only grant as much independence as they see fit to satisfy those (external) demands (for change).
Language
English
Source (journal)
Governance: an international journal of policy and administration. - Oxford
Publication
Oxford : 2020
ISSN
0952-1895 [print]
1468-0491 [online]
DOI
10.1111/GOVE.12413
Volume/pages
33 :1 , p. 61-77
ISI
000509390300004
Full text (Publisher's DOI)
UAntwerpen
Publication type
Subject
Law 
External links
Web of Science
Record
Identifier
Creation 16.02.2024
Last edited 28.08.2024
To cite this reference