Signalling Control

Abstract

This chapter develops a novel survey instrument that measures not only the frequency with which national representatives use a range of signalling tactics, but also the phase in the negotiating process at which such signalling takes place. Nearly forty representatives from the Council working parties filled in the survey, permitting a comprehensive analysis of national involvement in the EU’s trade negotiations. Analysis of the data confirms that there is substantive variation in the amount of control member states exert, and that variation may be explained by administrative capacity. This chapter also reveals that respondents’ signalling strategy is not determined by the size of their country but rather by the stage in the negotiating process at which they are particularly active.