On the Many Ways Europeanization Matters: The Implementation of the Water Reform in Italy (1994-2006)

Abstract

The research agenda of Europeanization is currently highly focused on issued related to what accounts for the 'horizontal' interaction between domestic actors and how these actors make use of stimuli originating from the EU. This paper aims to contribute to this line of inquiry through the case study of the implementation of the 1994 water reform in Italy in the period between 1994 and 2006. The analysis shows the role played by the use of monetary incentives provided by EU funding sources, by changes in the institutional context partially originating from EU factors, and by the rulings of the European Court of Justice.

Keywords: regulatory reform, public policy implementation, Europeanization, water sector, Italy

JEL Classification: H79, L95, L98