Quantitative research approaches in support of the new EC framework to safeguard the rule of law in EU
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Abstract
This article proposes a novel two-level instrument for analytically robust distinction of typological differences in the area of rule of law (ROL) among the European countries. The first level of analysis uses the EC’s first anti-corruption report data for a cumulative calculation of the country’s rank of anti-corruption potential. This procedure is repeated on a higher level of aggregation, wherein the EC’s anti-corruption ranking is combined with the rankings of the World Press Freedom and Rule of Law Indices. Thus, the authors create a database for the second level quantitative instrument, which is a variation of cluster analysis. The stable clusters obtained do not coincide with conventional blocks of countries that figure in the academic literature. The instrument for the measurement of the ROL ranking could be even more important for the assessment of the advancement of the candidate-states toward their full compliance with the EU ROL standards.
Contributor Notes
KALOYAN HARALAMPIEV, PhD, is Associate Professor of statistics at the Department of Sociology, “St. Kliment Ohridski” University of Sofia. He teaches courses on statistics for social sciences, SPSS, application of Bayesian statistics in social science, advanced statistics, and quantitative political analysis. He has a sound background in empirical research as statistician.
GEORGI DIMITROV, Dr. Habil., is Professor of Sociology and the founder of the European Studies Department, “St. Kliment Ohridski” University of Sofia. He has been Senior Fulbright Scholar twice (2002–2003; 2010). He teaches courses on history (and sociology) of sociology, European civilizing processes, EU integration, and reform policy studies. He has significant background in empirical research team leadership (more than 20 projects).