Implementation problems despite compatible policies : the role of ideas and institutions in the implementation of European environmental policy

Abstract

"Within the research on the implementation of European policies the thesis is advocated that implementation problems of European policy are due to a low degree of compatibility between European and national policies. However, recent studies did not confirm this thesis empirically and criticised the vague operationalisation of the degree of compatibility as well as the missing microfoundation of the explanation of implementation problems. This contribution shall show how an operationalisation and a microfoundation can be achieved with the help of the Advocacy Coalition Framework. Both the theoretical consideration and an empirical study of the legal implementation of the Directive concerning integrated pollution prevention and control in Germany and Ireland permit the inference to ascribe a limited explanation power to the degree of compatibility. Ideas and institutions are not regarded as competing but as complementary factors in explaining implementation problems." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

Cite article

Bähr, H. (2006): Implementationsprobleme trotz übereinstimmender Politik. Die Rolle von Ideen und Institutionen bei der Umsetzung europäischer Umweltpolitik. In: Österreichische Zeitschrift für Politikwissenschaft, Vol. 35, No. 4, p. 407-424.