Between Displacement, Layering, Conversion and Drift: The Institutional Construction of the Romanian Freedom of Information Act

Abstract

Using Mahoney and Thelen’s four mechanisms of institutional change (displacement, layering, conversion and drift), I argue that the Romanian Freedom of Information Act (Law no. 544/2001 and Methodological Norms no. 123/2002) has proven to be stable in the last two decades since its adoption, it has been accepted by some of us but not all, even though it was created to protect each of us as citizens, there have been failed attempts of institutional destabilization along with a series of institutional consolidations, whereas its enforcement has recorded a gradual deterioration, without attracting attention or encountering major criticism, this change being contrary to the public interest.

Keywords

• freedom of information (foi)
• law no. 544/2001
• displacement
• layering
• conversion
• drift
• romania