EUROPEAN UNION COUNTRIES INSTITUTIONAL QUALITY
Author: Diana Sabotinova (Burgas Free University)
Keywords: institutional quality, EU
The quality of institutions is a key factor in achieving upward economic and social convergence in the EU, playing a fundamental role in growing the economy, attracting foreign investment, ensuring the implementation of policies and reforms, and successfully accessing EU funds. This paper presents the results of an investigation into upward convergence in the EU countries in respect of the six Worldwide Governance Indicators (Voice and Accountability, Political Stability and Absence of Violence/Terrorism, Government Effectiveness, Regulatory Quality, Rule of Law, Control of Corruption) developed by the World Bank. While the results show that Europe remains at the forefront of global institutional quality, there has been deterioration since the 2008 financial crisis. Action is needed in public governance to reverse this trend.
