More Than One Agent? Authority Expansion and Delegation Dynamics in the EU
研究欧盟权力扩张如何影响政策执行模式的选择，发现扩张提案更可能选择超国家路径，但委托方为保留推责机会而转向联合委托，其中国家代理人享有更大自由裁量权。
ABSTRACT Recent studies focus on the issue of authority transfer to supranational institutions. While examining the opportunities and obstacles for expanding the Union's competencies, this literature often overlooks the effects of adopting ambitious policies on their implementation modes. This paper argues that the costs associated with the expansion of EU authority and opportunities for blame‐shifting drive delegation choices and define the relative discretion granted to agents. Proposals for expanding EU authority increase the likelihood of the exclusively supranational implementation path being selected by the principals while undermining the appeal of the national path. In contrast, aiming to preserve opportunities for blame‐shifting while maintaining some degree of control over implementation, the EU principals increasingly turn to joint delegation, where the Commission and national administrations cooperate. Yet, even within the partner‐like relationship of joint implementation, national agents enjoy broader discretionary leeway.