Master's thesis: Joint Programming and the limits to coordination

The present Master’s thesis sought to answer the research question: What are the obstacles to Joint Programming as seen by the practitioners responsible for its implementation?

Previous studies (all non-academic) of Joint Programming were reviewed in order to hypothesise four types of obstacles likely to occur during the process: (i) relational - interpersonal issues, (ii) substantive - professional disagreements between partners, (iii) institutional - set institutional factors outside of the control of officials tasked with carrying out Joint Programming and (iv) political - obstacles arising from the domestic, political context of Member States of the European Union.

Theodor Schatzki’s contributions to the tradition of practice theory formed the basis of an analytical framework in order to enrich the understanding of the obstacles to be analysed. This framework consisted of four levels: 1) practical understandings, 2) rules, 3) the teleoaffective structure, and 4) general understandings.

The data was collected through interviews with five European officials familiar with Joint Programming. Two of the interviewees were from the EU’s institutions - one from the field and one from headquarters. The remaining interviewees were from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Member State X - two from the field and one from headquarters.

The analysis confirmed the occurrence of the four types of obstacles hypothesised and listed all the obstacles identified. Some were aligned with previous studies of Joint Programming while others were additional to those. Most were found in attempts to map existing development interventions and formulate a division of labour.

The discussion treated the broader implications of the obstacles identified. Three main points prevailed. First, the actual programming phase, bar the joint analysis, is undercut by intractable problems. This implies a stronger focus on what can be done in the post-programming phase to improve cooperation and joint action. Next, strong group dynamics emerged as an underestimated factor in determining succesful cooperation of any sort among European partners. Third, there were indications that politicisation of aid could be leveraged towards constructive results by thinking the political and development tracks as one.

The research concluded that there are numerous relational, substantive, institutional and political obstacles to Joint Programming. These are primarily found in attempts to map existing development interventions and formulate a division of labour.