Unity in Environmental Discourse? The Role of Decision Makers, Experts and Citizens in Developing Finnish Environmental Policy

In: Policy & politics: advancing knowledge in public and social policy, Band 26, Heft 1, S. 55-70

Abstract

In an examination of the content & goals of Finnish environmental policy, the basic issue is whether there are discourse & strategy coalitions of key players to be identified as well as interests with which the discourses & strategies coincide. Interviews with 41 key players in the Finnish National Commission on Sustainable Development revealed that environmental discourses show diversity. Two ideal types of basic environmental policy strategies -- ecological modernization & structural change -- were found. It is concluded that there is no easy starting point for unity in environmental policy making. However, additional research is needed to examine the relevant policy sectors from the broad viewpoint of social development & environmental politics. 1 Table, 3 Figures, 44 References. Adapted from the source document.