Description
Book SynopsisAn authoritative account of the European Commission presidency and the political leadership performance of its incumbents throughout the process of the European integration.
Trade ReviewThis path-breaking book examines the political leadership of European Commission presidents. Despite intrinsic weaknesses in the office, Müller shows convincingly how and when various presidents are more or less effective in their leadership, examining their personal dispositions, the institutional structure and the specific circumstances in which these presidents serve their term. This study will prove to be the leading go-to work on political leadership of Commission presidents. * Amy Verdun, Professor of European Politics and Political Economy, Leiden University, and Jean Monnet Chair Ad Personam, University of Victoria *
This is an excellent and timely book. The scholarship is first-rate; the subject matter highly topical; and the writing refreshingly crisp. The author has mastered a wealth of material on political leadership in general and EU leadership in particular, and strikes a fine balance between theory and practice. Political Leadership and the European Commission Presidency should be essential reading for scholars and students of EU governance, especially at this crucial stage of the EU's development. * Desmond Dinan, Professor of Public Policy and Jean Monnet Professor Ad Personam, George Mason University *
This excellent book addresses the important but under-researched topic of the political leadership of European Commission Presidents. Resting on a systematic and comparative analysis and based on a convincing and clearly explained analytical framework, Müller seeks to unpack what really determines the (successful) leadership performance of Commission Presidents. * Michelle Cini, Professor of European Politics, University of Bristol *
Essential reading for those interested in the intra and interinstitutional relations of the European Commission and 'what makes political leadership in supranational governance successful'. Mu¨&ller's rich and diverse empirical content and in-depth analysis will enhance the debate about the strategies leaders use to achieve goals, garner support, and mediate and build consensus; it will also serve as a valuable source of information and even inspiration for political actors. * Buket Oztas, Perspectives on Politics *
Table of ContentsIntroduction 1: Studying Political Leadership in European Governance 2: Mapping the Presidency of the European Commission 3: Onstage: Performing Agenda-Setting Leadership 4: Backstage: Performing Mediative-Institutional Leadership 5: The Audience: Performing Public Leadership Conclusion Appendix 1: List of Speeches 2: List of Interviews 3: Newspaper Coverage
