2007/3 |
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ÖZP 2007/3, 107-124 [INHALT] [German] Peter Biegelbauer (Vienna) Since the late 1980s approaches focusing on policy-oriented learning have received increasing attention. Yet, despite this rising interest, no noticeable unification of the learning-oriented approaches has taken place. The article therefore first provides an overview of the publications on the topic. Then the different approaches are analysed regarding actors, sources and forms of learning. Finally, a few major points of critique targeting learning-oriented approaches are considered. ÖZP 2007/3, 249-266 [INHALT] [German] Michael Böcher (Göttingen) This contribution deals with the question, which role policy-learning approaches play for the explanation of instrument change in environmental policy since the 1980’s. After a critical general discussion of the most important policy-learning approaches, an analytical framework is introduced which aims at combining policy-learning with a classic interest-/power-oriented analytical approach. The relevance of this analytical framework is then demonstrated against the background of the discussion on economic environmental policy instruments in Germany using the example of the ecological tax reform which was introduced in 1999. This tax reform is a result of general learning processes about the use of market-based instruments in environmental policy as a new "policy-idea" as well as - in its concrete form - a result of power struggles and the influence of interest groups. The suggested analytical framework is able to adequately integrate both aspects for an explanation of dynamic policy processes. . ÖZP 2007/3, 267-284 [INHALT] [German] Erich Grießler (Vienna) After a very long and at times extremely controversial and emotional political controversy Austria, similar to other OECD countries, replaced a particularly restrictive abortion regulation with an in international comparison rather permissive law (limited-period abortion right). Following Paul Sabatier’s advocacy coalition approach this paper raises the following questions: How did the policy change from restrictive to permissive abortion regulation occur? What was the role of policy learning in this context? In which way did formal and informal organizational structures, norms and values of the central political actor in this policy change, the Social Democratic Party (SPÖ), further or hamper policy learning? ÖZP 2007/3, 285-302 [INHALT] [German] Bernhard Hadolt (Vienna) This article deals with the role of policy learning for the genesis of Austrian ART Policy during the 1980ies and early 1990ies and seeks to utilise the conclusion drawn from this analysis for the further development of the concept of policy learning. Three assumptions are examined: that political actors predominantly learn from experiences about policy outputs; that a specific policy is to be understood as reaction to the challenges from an outside world; and that learning mainly takes place between discrete policies, rather than within the policy process. The article shows that these assumptions only partly apply to the case of Austrian ART policy, because due to the novelty oft ART, a distinct policy field had to be developed beforehand. Nevertheless, it can be assumed that learning processes had an essential role for the policy making process. It is concluded that policy learning does not necessarily need to be built on experiences actually made, but may also be based on "imagined" experiences. Furthermore, learning processes may also happen in the translation of political actors’ core beliefs into policies. And, finally, learning processes also occur within the policy formulation process, rather than merely between discrete policies. ÖZP 2007/3, 303-318 [INHALT] [German] Kurt Mayer (Vienna) This contribution uses a policy learning approach to analyse the establishment of the "Fachhochschul"-sector in Austria. This approach raises the question of how ideas and learning processes in the realm of political decision making contribute to institutional and policy change and to a change in the relations of power. The theoretical and analytical framework of this article is based on policy learning concepts of Peter May und Paul Sabatier. ÖZP 2007/3, 319-336 [INHALT] [German] Alexander Bogner (Vienna) Controversies about biomedicine are characterised by moral uncertainty; they are negotiated as value conflicts. This presents a considerable challenge for politics because in modern societies there is no consent about what we should (not) know and do. The political response to this problem is the institutionalisation of ethics expertise. With respect to Austria I will analyse the ethics councils’ policy advice from an STS perspective. I will argue that the political utilisation of expertise means to subsume it under the particular operation principles of the political system ("politicisation of expertise"). During its political utilisation, expertise is reconfigured in a way as to establish an identity between the experts’ opinions and political objectives. Against this background policy learning can be described, at best, as a strategic use of expert dissent. Finally, I will show that the politicisation of expertise is closely connected to a de-politicisation of bioethical issues. ÖZP 2007/3, 338-352 [INHALT] [German]
Martin Dolezal / Swen Hutter (Munich) In this article we analyse the extent, the form, and the thematic focus of political protest in Austria from 1975 to 2005. The developments of the 1990s and especially the protests against the formation of the ÖVP-FPÖ coalition government were understood to indicate a change towards a higher conflict intensity in Austrian politics. Based on findings of a systematic longitudinal analysis of political protest we dismiss such an interpretation. The results of a content analysis of the media coverage of protest events indicate a moderately increased level of mobilisation since the 1990s but no clear break with decades that were more consensus oriented. Unconventional political participation is still less frequent than in other West European countries. |