Inter-institutional decision-making: The case of the Common Agricultural Policy

Greer, Alan; Hind, Thomas

Abstract

The dominant portrayal of the policy process around the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) emphasises a system of inter-governmental bargaining, close links between institutions and farming interests, and compartmentalised closed policy networks. This article considers how inter-institutional relationships might be reshaped by the extension of 'co-decision' powers to the European Parliament in the Lisbon Treaty. This raises the possibility that policy proposals and outcomes may increasingly reflect the participation of a broader range of actors and interests. Using four scenarios that reflect different institutional configurations, a preliminary analysis of the 2011 dairy regime proposals (the 'Milk Package') is used to draw some conclusions about whether the agricultural policy agenda is likely to be broadened through de-compartmentalisation, leading to a more fluid policy arena characterised by more actors with conflicting values. © 2012 Policy and Society Associates (APSS).

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Publication Date: Nov 1, 2012
• Publicly Available Date: Jun 7, 2019
• Journal: Policy and Society
• Print ISSN: 1449-4035
• Publisher: Taylor & Francis Open Access
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 31
• Issue: 4
• Pages: 331-341
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.polsoc.2012.09.005
• Keywords: decision-making, common agricultural policy, inter-institutional decision-making, farming
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/941881
• Publisher URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.polsoc.2012.09.005
• Related Public URLs: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.polsoc.2012.09.005