Analysing the Evolution of Principal-Agent Contracts on FRONTEX: A Study on Contractual Arrangements, Control Mechanisms and Policy Objectives

Abstract

The European Agency for the Management of Operational Cooperation at the External Borders of the Member States of the European Union, also known as FRONTEX, was established in 2004. The agency underwent several reforms, resulting in FRONTEX becoming the European Border and Coast Guard Agency. When understanding FRONTEX as an agent to principals, its development must be understood as the result of the development of the principal agent relation. This thesis analyses the development of the principal agent contract on FRONTEX with regard to the mandate of the agency and the control mechanisms installed. The thesis evaluates the proportionality of the relation between FRONTEX's mandate and its control mechanisms over time. This was done by conducting a single case study, analysing each amendment of the principal agent contract as a unit of analysis. Official European regulations constituted the data for this analysis. The units of analysis were contextualised by incorporating publications of debates or statements of relevant actors and scholars. The analysis showed that FRONTEX's development is characterised by a continuous expansion of both its mandate and control mechanisms. A correlation between both factors was assessed. Proportionality between the two factors was mostly given, with the exception...