Research and writing is often a solitary endeavour, but this dissertation would not have been possible without the encouragement and support of many people. First, I would like to express my sincere appreciation and gratitude to my advisors Prof. Dr. Anke Hassel and Prof. Dr. Andreas Rasche for their excellent guidance during this project. You always found the time to give me valuable feedback and advice when I needed it. In addition, Prof. Dr. Sarah Jastram and Dr. Nicole Helmerich deserve special thanks, as my thesis committee members and advisors. So do friends and colleagues like Fabian, Thomas, Dennis, Ingo and Steffi for reading and commenting on chapter drafts. Thanks also goes to the Hertie School of Governance and the many people I have come to know there since I first set foot on campus as a young master student in 2007. I am very grateful to Fabian and Udo who I consider family: Fabian for understanding me best not only as a fellow PhD, but more importantly as my best friend from whom I have learned so much. Udo for being an essential part of our family life for so many years already, showing us what true friendship means. My deepest gratitude goes to Belén for her daily support during these past three years. You have been the best partner anyone can ask for, helping me get through the at times difficult research and writing, be it with your continual encouragement, your intelligent advice, your unique sense of humour – or simply with your love. Words cannot describe what you mean to me.