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The Journal of European Public Policy was launched to fill a perceived intellectual gap in the market for European public policy research. It appears to have been a success but some luck was needed, good academic contacts, and a publisher willing to take a risk by committing quite large sums of money up front. Referees are hugely important for the success of a journal but this does not mean that editors should not occasionally exercise their own judgement. Evaluation and ranking of journals is a complex and unreliable process. Thus, the market is probably the best judge. If a journal sells well and subscriptions are rising it is probably ok! Submission fees seem a bad idea as authors already work for no pay. Payment for referees might work but is it really necessary? Finally, let us have more journals and more competition for our work. Adapted from the source document.

Much of the British and European literature on the role of interest groups in the policy process focuses on their participation in policy networks of various types. Possibly reflecting the original development of the policy community and policy network 'models' in the late 1970s, these approaches tend to emphasize stability and continuity – of both networks and policies. However, the 1980s and 1990s have witnessed much policy change and instability in most Western European states. In particular, some governments have adopted a more impositional policy style, and interest groups have learned to exploit the opportunities presented by a policy process which is increasingly characterized by multiple opportunity structures. This is especially the case following Europeanization of many policy sectors within the fifteen EU member states. The article focuses on the possible causes of policy change, including the importance of state power; changes in the behaviour of interest groups as they adjust to and exploit the opportunities presented by multi-arena policy-making; the impact of new policy fashions, reflecting knowledge and ideas which can act as a virus-like threat to existing policy communities.

Much of the British & European literature on the role of interest groups in the policy process focuses on their participation in policy networks of various types. Possibly reflecting the original development of the policy community & policy network "models" in the late 1970s, these approaches tend to emphasize stability & continuity -- of both networks & policies. However, the 1980s & 1990s have witnessed much policy change & instability in most Western European states. In particular, some governments have adopted a more impositional policy style, & interest groups have learned to exploit the opportunities presented by a policy process that is increasingly characterized by multiple opportunity structures. This is especially the case following Europeanization of many policy sectors in the 15 EU member states. The article focuses on the possible causes of policy change, including the importance of state power; changes in the behavior of interest groups as they adjust to & exploit the opportunities presented by multi-arena policy making; & the impact of new policy fashions, reflecting knowledge & ideas that can act as a virus-like threat to existing policy communities. 90 References. Adapted from the source document.