Consociationalists or weberians? Top commission officials on nationality

This article examines how senior permanent officials in the European Commis sion (director-generals and directors) conceive of the role of nationality in their organization. Do they support a weberian ideal-typical bureaucrati c organization, where merit shapes personnel selection and task organizatio n, or do they prefer a consociational form, in which nationalities are repr esented in organization and policymaking? I explain variation in weberian a nd consociational orientations, using 105 mail questionnaires collected bet ween July 1995 and May 1997. In explaining variation, I contrast socializat ion factors and factors related to the professional utility function of off icials. I find that utility packs far more power than socialization. Suppor t for consociational principles is highest among officials who belong to na tionalities that are organized in strong multifunctional networks in Brusse ls. In an administration where nationality is a po powerful principle of pe rsonnel organization, officials with the "right citizenship" have compellin g incentives to reinforce its role. Professional utility is also a function of one's position in the work environment: officials in positions of weak regulatory autonomy or dealing with quality of life issues are move likely to be consociational. Socialization is weak, though prior experience as a n ational civil servant reduces consociationalism and prior Commission cabine t experience increases it.