Sybille Münch - Böcker

This definitive Handbook addresses the current lack of research into European policy-making and development using an interpretive perspective. Questioning areas that mainstream approaches tend to neglect, contributors target the ways in which ideas, arguments and discourses shape policies in the institutional context of the EU. The Handbook of European Policies provides an in-depth and comprehensive introduction for all significant policy areas in the EU, highlighting the theories of post-positivism and interpretivism. With rich explanations of different methodological and conceptual approaches to post-positivist research, key chapters consider the essential exchange between EU integration studies and EU policy studies, examining how both can benefit from this new and exciting approach. Offering theoretically grounded answers, this Handbook creates a dialogue between critical policy studies and European integration theory. Academics and practitioners concerned with the functioning of EU policies will benefit from the eminent contributors’ insights into issues high on the institutional agenda of the EU and its member states. In addition, the Handbook is suitable for both undergraduate and graduate courses concerned with European integration and EU policies.Contributors include: R. Atkinson, P. Biegelbauer, Y. Bollen, D. Dakowska, F. Daviter, P.H. Feindt, H. Heinelt, J. Kantola, J.D. Kelstrup, M. Knodt, X. Kurowska, E. Lombardo, S. Münch, F. Nullmeier, J. Orbie, K.T. Paul, W. Petzold, C.M. Radaelli, D. Sack, E.K. Sarter, S. Saurugger, M.A. Schreurs, K. Serrano Velarde, V.A. Schmidt, M.A. Schreurs, H. Strassheim, M. Weber, K. Zimmermann

For readers interested in an overview of what led to the adoption of the European Union’s Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) and its aftermath, this book traces the discursive dynamics and milestones of the negotiations around the MFF and the new recovery instrument, aimed at alleviating the economic crisis caused by the Coronavirus pandemic.Covering the negotiations of the current MFF, contributions by both scholarly experts in their respective policy areas and authors close to the policy community in Brussels provide a well rounded insight into this discerning topic. Chapters explore the issues that unfolded during the negotiations of the MFF and recovery package against the backdrop of conflicts over solidarity, identity and sovereignty and thus the scope of cooperation and membership as well as institutional design and authority. EU Policymaking at a Crossroads anticipates, describes and discursively explains changes in selected policy areas, looking into the negotiations, effects and reflections surrounding them.This timely book will be a highly beneficial read for academics and students in the fields of international relations, European politics and public policy. Scholars specializing in multilevel governance of different policy areas such as sustainability, agriculture and migration will also profit from this comprehensive book.

This comprehensive book explores the development of interpretive policy analysis (IPA) over the past three decades as an approach to bring social meaning into the study of policy processes. It examines present circumstances and future directions, providing a detailed overview of theory and practice in the field.Leading scholars discuss how IPA has adopted a critical stance designed to move beyond empiricism and include understanding of the construction and analysis of social meaning. They focus on four general topics: theoretical and historical viewpoints including social constructivism; policy-analytic perspectives such as framing, narratives and emotion; policy deliberation and discourse; and interpretive methodology and reflexivity. Chapters investigate key themes ranging from arguments and emotions to performativity, policy ethnography and participatory action research. The book concludes by tracing the path of interpretive policy analysis within the discipline of public policy.Scholars and students of public policy, political science and sociology and political theory will greatly benefit from this insightful book. It is also a vital resource for practitioners and policy analysts working in regulation and governance, urban planning and public administration.

Mit der interpretativen Wende vollzieht sich seit einigen Jahren eine Öffnung der Policy-Analyse für die diskursive Konstruktion von Wirklichkeit. Politikverläufe stellen sich in diesem Verständnis als Interpretationsprozesse und Interpretationskämpfe dar. Angesichts der Heterogenität der unter dem Dach der interpretativen oder argumentativen Policy-Analyse zusammengefassten Strömungen und der überwiegend im englischen Sprachraum stattfindenden Debatten ist es bislang jedoch insbesondere für Studierende schwierig, sich einen Überblick zu verschaffen. Der Band gibt eine Einführung in die erkenntnistheoretischen Grundlagen dieser neueren post-positivistischen Ansätze, ihre zentralen Begrifflichkeiten und Fragestellungen.