Activating a policy network

Abstract

When we consider how to approach social problems in general and environmental problems in particular, we think first and foremost of government. Of course, one of government’s major functions is to bridge social divisions by guiding social developments. Yet governments play an ambivalent role in Western societies. In practice, they perform a dual task. Besides acting as arbiter in the social arena, a public authority usually takes part as a player in the game, even performing on separate administrative levels simultaneously (Tjeenk Willink, 1980). In the role of arbiter, government is supposed to profile itself as an institution that weighs interests by exercising its argumentation and authority and can make choices on that basis. In the role of player, we find governments that take an active stance in defending the interests of certain social groups. These governments tend to maintain close and multifaceted ties with private organizations. Actually, the ‘government’ is composed of many governmental organizations. Each represents a particular interest. And each of these assumes certain delegated tasks and responsibilities related to these interests. Accordingly, the capacity of governments to resolve social problems is fragmented.