POAD8014: PUBLIC POLICY POLICY NETWORKS Lionel Orchard

Policy Networks - Definition ‘a set of relatively stable relationships which are of non-hierarchical and independent nature linking a variety of actors, who share common interests with regard to a policy and who exchange resources to pursue these shared interests … to achieve common goals’ (Borzel 1998, 254)

Two Schools on Networks British/American – the interest intermediation school – as a model of state-society relations in a given issue area We can observe or map the actors involved in an issue area German – the governance school – an alternative form of governance to hierarchy and the market Policy networks provide a specific form of governance for non-hierarchical coordination

Rhodes’ Typology High integration Low integration

How important? New approach to thinking about policy formulation in a complex world Acknowledges the wider variety of resources and actors in shaping policy An alternative perspective on policy development going beyond hierarchical explanations Helps point to the role of ideas in policy debate and development Valuable in understanding agenda setting