"Policy Networks and the European Community: Explaining EC Environmental Policy"

Bomberg, Elizabeth. (1993) "Policy Networks and the European Community: Explaining EC Environmental Policy". In: UNSPECIFIED, Washington, DC. (Unpublished)

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Abstract

[Introduction]. This paper represents a preliminary attempt to apply a policy networks approach to European Community (EC) environmental policymaking. It argues that network analysis can help us explain the EC's environmental policymaking process, its outputs, and its interaction with other policy spheres. (1) The paper begins by outlining the basic components and variations of policy networks. In Section II EC environmental policy is described as taking place within a relatively loose "issue network". Section III uses network analysis to help explain environmental policy outputs, with emphasis on legislation related to water quality and auto emissions. In Section IV the interaction between environmental and other policy networks is explored. This section examines why environmental concerns are not effectively integrated into policy areas such as agriculture, the internal market and regional funding. Section V examines the prospects for change within and among EC policy networks. The conclusion assesses the usefulness of policy network analysis in explaining EC environmental policies, and suggests areas for further research.

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