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From Hierarchy to Networks? Sub‐central Government and EU Urban Environment Policy[Note 1. The research for this article was carried out under ...]
Author(s) -
Ward Stephen,
Williams Richard
Publication year - 1997
Publication title -
jcms: journal of common market studies
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.54
H-Index - 90
eISSN - 1468-5965
pISSN - 0021-9886
DOI - 10.1111/1468-5965.00069
Subject(s) - hierarchy , citizen journalism , government (linguistics) , style (visual arts) , political science , central government , policy making , process (computing) , public policy , public administration , urban hierarchy , european union , business , local government , sociology , geography , economic policy , computer science , law , population , philosophy , linguistics , demography , archaeology , operating system
This article examines the role of networking as a mode of interaction between sub‐central government and the EU, and as a medium for policy development. Evidence from research into EU urban environmental policy‐making is analysed to argue that a shift in the policy‐making style is being adopted by DG XI, moving away from top‐down legislating, to a more responsive and participatory style, and that networking provides the non‐tangible infrastructure for this process. Conclusions are drawn about the evolving nature of European policy and lobby networks, their contribution to EU policy‐making, and the European role of sub‐central government.