Organic farming policy networks in Europe: context, actors and variation

Despite most having developed under the umbrella of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), national-level organic farming policy networks in Europe vary. The aim of this paper is to explore the reasons for this variation. Quantitative network analyses were carried out in five 'old' and five 'new' EU member states and in Switzerland. To examine the patterns of influence on these eleven policy networks, the cases are compared in two stages. First, we examine the factors co-varying with the size and density of the networks and then we apply a most similar system - most different outcome research design. We identify the political environment as the main factor affecting size and density of organic farming policy networks in Europe. The distribution of power between organic farming organizations and agricultural ministries is influenced by state involvement and by the resources available to organic farming policy actors

Policy networks of organic farming in Europe

This report presents an analysis of national and supranational organic farming policy networks in Europe. The aim of the national level analysis is to examine the different structures of policy making and how these depend on the country-specific conditions. The aim of the EU level analysis is twofold: firstly, the political structure of organic farming is examined in the context of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP); secondly, the research investigates the attitudes of EU level policy makers towards organic farming and their acceptance of specific organic farming policy instruments

Policy networks: conceptual developments and their European applications

Discussions on policy networks are becoming increasingly common in the analysis of public policy. However nowhere is to be found a common understanding of what policy networks are and how they operate. Little agreement exists even on whether policy networks are to be considered as a metaphor, a method or a proper theory with explanatory power. The paper will explore how the policy network approach has been developed to describe and explain the complexity of new forms of decision-making and policy implementation and their implications for democracy and effectiveness of the political system. The focus is on conceptual frames developed in the context of policy and public administration studies seen here as specific sector of organisational studies. It will then move forward to review how this concepts have been incorporated in studies on emerging forms of spatial governance, namely multilevel and transnational governance with particular reference to the European context. Methodological perspectives and quantitative analytical approaches such as those developed within Social Network Analysis studies or in the more traditional fields of quantitative modelling of political behaviours and power distributions are not investigated in this literature review. Discussions on policy networks are becoming increasingly common in the analysis of public policy. However nowhere is to be found a common understanding of what policy networks are and how they operate. Little agreement exists even on whether policy networks are to be considered as a metaphor, a method or a proper theory with explanatory power. The paper will explore how the policy network approach has been developed to describe and explain the complexity of new forms of decision-making and policy implementation and their implications for democracy and effectiveness of the political system. The focus is on conceptual frames developed in the context of policy and public administration studies seen here as specific sector of organisational studies. It will then move forward to review how this concepts have been incorporated in studies on emerging forms of spatial governance, namely multilevel and transnational governance with particular reference to the European context. Methodological perspectives and quantitative analytical approaches such as those developed within Social Network Analysis studies or in the more traditional fields of quantitative modelling of political behaviours and power distributions are not investigated in this literature review

Creating a Common Market for Fraud and Corruption in the European Union: an Institutional Accident, or a Deliberate Strategy?

governance; agency theory; policy networks

Policy networks

'Modernes demokratisches Regieren geschieht selten über traditionelle Webersche Hierarchien oder reine 'Märkte'. Stattdessen werden politische Entscheidungen über eine Art hybrides Arrangement einer Anzahl von unterschiedlichen Akteuren getroffen, von denen einige private oder öffentliche Institutionen repräsentieren. Das Konzept von Politiknetzwerken - Cluster von Akteuren, die jeweils ein Interesse an einem bestimmten Politikfeld und die Fähigkeit besitzen, politischen Erfolg oder Misserfolg mitzubestimmen - wurde als eine Methode entwickelt und verfeinert, die versucht, die Ergebnisse von politischen Entscheidungsprozessen über solche hybriden Arrangements zu beschreiben, zu erklären und vorauszusehen. Regieren über Politiknetzwerke ist auf der europäischen Ebene so weit verbreitet, weil es auf bedeutende Weise von Experten dominiert wird und stark abhängig von dem 'Regieren durch Ausschüsse' ist. Die Erforschung von Politiknetzwerken hat nützliche Resultate geliefert, doch wir bleiben noch etwas von einer einmütigen, plausiblen 'Theorie' von Politiknetzwerken entfernt.' (Autorenreferat)'Modern democratic governance occurs only rarely via traditional Weberian hierarchies or pure 'markets'. Rather, public policies are made via some kind of hybrid arrangement involving a range of different actors, including some representing private or nongovernmental institutions. The concept of policy networks - clusters of actors, each with an interest, or 'stake' in a given policy sector and the capacity to help determine policy success or failure - has been developed and refined as a way to try to describe, explain and predict the outcomes of policy-making via such hybrid arrangements. Governance by policy network is rife at the level of the European Union because it is such a highly differentiated polity which is dominated (in important ways) by experts and highly dependent on 'government by committee'. Research on EU policy networks has produced useful results but we remain some distance away from an agreed, plausible 'theory' of policy networks.' (author's abstract)

Moving on – European organic farming movements between political action and self-reflection

Organic farming movements in Europe are widely recognised as a positive force by market actors and civil society, as well as relevant actors in policy networks. At the same time, the organic movement is in a process of self-reflection, reconsidering its value basis. Taking account of both a policy network and a social movement perspective, this article seeks to understand political action of the organic sector. Making use of a cross-country comparison of European organic farming policy networks, it conceptualises the consequences of such action with regard to political influence and the identity of the organic farming movement. While different strategies are employed to influence politics, a space needs to be opened up within the movements for continuous innovation and the re-construction of a collective identity

Epistemic policy networks in the European Union’s CBRN risk mitigation policy

This paper offers insights into an innovative and currently flagship approach of the European Union (EU) to the mitigation of chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) risks. Building on its long-time experience in the CBRN field, the EU has incorporated methods familiar to the students of international security governance: it is establishing regional networks of experts and expertise. CBRN Centers of Excellence, as they are officially called, aim to contribute to the security and safety culture in different parts of Africa, the Middle East, South East Asia, and South East Europe, in the broadly construed CBRN area. These regional networks represent a modern form of security cooperation, which can be conceptualized as an epistemic policy networks approach. It offers flexibility to the participating states, which have different incentives to get involved. At the same, however, the paper identifies potential limitations and challenges of epistemic policy networks in this form

Underperforming policy networks : the biopesticides network in the United Kingdom

Loosely integrated and incomplete policy networks have been neglected in the literature. They are important to consider in terms of understanding network underperformance. The effective delivery and formulation of policy requires networks that are not incomplete or underperforming. The biopesticides policy network in the United Kingdom is considered and its components identified with an emphasis on the lack of integration of retailers and environmental groups. The nature of the network constrains the actions of its agents and frustrates the achievement of policy goals. A study of this relatively immature policy network also allows for a focus on network formation. The state, via an external central government department, has been a key factor in the development of the network. Therefore, it is important to incorporate such factors more systematically into understandings of network formation. Feedback efforts from policy have increased interactions between productionist actors but the sphere of consumption remains insufficiently articulated