Eurocracy and Tribalism

Abstract

The paper argues that there are several factors suggesting the position and behaviour of eurocrats within member-state administrations to be similar to those of a “tribe” within a large hierarchical organisation. These factors are most clearly present in the East-Central European countries, for reasons including the greater discrepancy between a eurocratic and an ordinary civil-service career, the historically given inability of these countries' governments to participate in the development of EU institutions, and the guidance and close control exercised by the European Commission over the establishment of eurocratic institutions in these countries.