Governing dual objectives within single policy mixes: an empirical analysis of large carnivore policies in six European countries

Auvikki De Boon,Camilla Sandström,Ugo Arbieu,Inger Hansen,Lisa Lehnen,Agnese Marino,Mari Pohja-Mykrä,Camilla Risvoll,Geir-Harald Strand,Katrina Rønningen

doi:10.1080/1523908x.2020.1841614

Abstract

ABSTRACT Policy mixes (i.e. the total structure of policy processes, strategies, and instruments) are complex constructs that can quickly become incoherent, inconsistent, and incomprehensive. This is amplified when the policy mix strives to meet multiple objectives simultaneously, such as in the case of large carnivore policy mixes. Building on Rogge and Reichardt's analytical framework for the analysis of policy mixes, we compare the policy mixes of Norway, Sweden, Finland, the Netherlands, Germany (specifically Saxony and Bavaria), and Spain (specifically Castilla y León). The study shows that the large carnivore policy mixes in the case countries show signs of lacking vertical and horizontal coherence in the design of policy processes, weak consistency between objectives and designated policy instruments, and, as a consequence, lacking comprehensiveness. We conclude that creating consistent, coherent, and comprehensive policy mixes that build on multiple objectives requires stepping away from sectorized policy development, toward a holistic, systemic approach, strong collaborative structures across policy boundaries and regions, the inclusion of diverse stakeholders, and constant care and attention to address all objectives simultaneously rather than in isolation.

Highlights

Public policies are complex constructs, often including a variety of instruments, targeted actors, and implementation processes to steer society towards certain agreed objectives (Schneider & Ingram, 2005)
Our analysis shows that there is a lack of vertical coherence of the policy processes
Our analysis shows that the large carnivore policy mixes in the case countries are a patchwork of processes, principal plans, and policy instruments that lack a clear uniform underlying guiding strategy that accounts for the multiple temporal and spatial scales and components of the socio-ecological system that the policy mixes aim to address

Summary

Introduction

Public policies are complex constructs, often including a variety of instruments, targeted actors, and implementation processes to steer society towards certain agreed objectives (Schneider & Ingram, 2005). In the case of policies for sustainable development, the complexity is amplified by the need to meet multiple objectives simultaneously (Baker, 2012). Policies regularly evolve in an incremental process of adding and altering elements whenever the original policy structure seems incapable of effectively addressing societal and/or ecological challenges that preclude achievement of the set objectives (Kern & Howlett, 2009). Designing what Rogge and Reichardt (2016) define as policy mixes, i.e. the total structure of policy processes, strategies, and instruments, with multiple objectives in a unidirectional way, can be eminently

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