Pragmatic model for sustainable energy policy: Networking between the government and key players in Bahrain

Abstract

To fill the current literature gap, this paper strives to empirically determine the networking process between the government of Bahrain and the key players in the formulation and implementation of sustainable energy policy. The literature review divulges that policy network approach represents a useful tool for the analysis of public policy, since this approach permits a thorough explanation of the interaction between the network’s members. A questionnaire was distributed to key decision-makers involved in the elaboration of sustainable energy policy in Bahrain. The results of this paper revealed that the government of Bahrain has adopted successful policies of sustainable energy in reaching the intended results. Nevertheless, the current structure of networking might be described as a “Clientelist Network”. This paper proposed a pragmatic model for sustainable energy policy to reinforce the networking process between the government and the key players into a rational approach of “Pluralistic networks”. In this network, formal associations have to be established to embrace the industry, energy and environmental sectors. Accordingly, this type of networking will ensure direct and strong frequent ties. Also, this pluralistic network will provide further comparative advantages in terms of the power of control over resources and the flow of information among all key actors.