Author(s):
Manica, Luís ; Damásio, Bruno ; Mendonça, Sandro
Date: 2025
Persistent ID: http://hdl.handle.net/10362/188424
Origin: Repositório Institucional da UNL
Subject(s): broadband; digital divide; Europe; France; governance; infrastructure policy; Portugal; Spain; State aid; United Kingdom; Ayuda estatal; banda ancha; brecha digital; España; Europa; Francia; gobernanza; política de infraestructura; Reino Unido; 宽带; 数字鸿沟; 欧洲; 法国; 治理; 基础设施政策; 葡萄牙; 西班牙; 国家援助; 英国; Sociology and Political Science; Political Science and International Relations
Description
Manica, L., Damásio, B., & Mendonça, S. (2025). Institutional Legacies and Governance Models: A Comparative Study of Broadband State Aid in Europe. Politics & Policy, 53(5), Article e70069. https://doi.org/10.1111/polp.70069 --- This work was supported by national funds through FCT (Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia), under the project—UIDB/04152/2020 and UID/GES/00315/2013—Centro de Investigação em Gestão de Informação (MagIC/NOVA IMS) (https://doi.org/10.54499/UIDB/04152/2020). BRU-IUL and REM/UECE are financially supported by FCT.
This article explores how historical legacies and institutional configurations impact the governance models used in implementing State aid policies for broadband in France, Portugal, Spain, and the United Kingdom. The analysis is based on historical institutionalism, focusing on path dependence, critical junctures, and gradual institutional change. A comparative historical approach shows different governance models evolving due to administrative traditions and political factors. France and the United Kingdom have evolved toward decentralized models, which capitalize on institutional flexibility and strategic reforms. Conversely, Portugal and Spain face limitations from centralized structures and institutional inertia. This study elucidates the relationship between institutional structures and policy outcomes, providing policymakers with insights for addressing digital access disparities. These findings contribute to the public administration literature, emphasizing the role of timing, sequencing, and coordination in the design of effective governance frameworks and preparing for emerging challenges (such as 5G deployment) where State aid will be needed.
