Conclusion

Abstract

The aim of this concluding chapter is to draw evidence from both the empirical and theoretical chapters of the volume and to analyse the Lisbon Strategy in terms of its key successes and failures. In evaluating Lisbon, there are those that look for more concrete policy outcomes and those who underline ‘softer’ cognitive and programmatic shifts (Chapter 5 in this volume). The individual contributors to this volume are situated much closer to the latter school of thought, but a comprehensive evaluation of the Lisbon Strategy requires the consideration of both perspectives. The central argument of this concluding chapter is that despite its longer term ideational impact, the Lisbon Strategy is more a story of failure than of successes – particularly when viewed against its own benchmarks and targets set in 2000–2005. For example, in the area of research and innovation, the rhetoric of the Lisbon Strategy has had a strong normative effect, but average research spending, as a percentage of gross domestic product (GDP), fell considerably short of the 3 per cent target, with Member States recording an average increase from 1.8 to 1.9 per cent between 2000 and 2010 (Chapter 10 in this volume).