The question of EU legitimacy in the Social OMC peer review process

Abstract

This article examines the interplay between relational and structural factors in establishing the legitimacy of social governance processes at the European Union (EU) level, specifically the peer review process in the Social Open Method of Coordination (OMC). Through a multi-level governance lens, the article uses network analysis to evaluate the roles of different actors within the Social OMC governance structure and links that with the ideas of input and throughput legitimacy. The findings suggest that the peer reviews have limited capacity in improving input or throughput legitimacy. Input legitimacy has improved somewhat to include non-traditional actors, but the governance structures in place do not provide a clear role for these new actors and it remains a mostly government-driven process. While the Social OMC does open up new avenues for transparency, information sharing and improving procedural throughputs, the process does not have a clear vision in how to translate this transparency into significant increases in legitimacy.