A Study On European Union Governance In A Perspective Of Policy Network Theory

With the progress of economic globalization, it has witnessed significant changes in the environment and objects of public policy research. The fast development of European Union (hereinafter EU) integration has triggered new problems and difficulties in the arena of EU public policy. Depending solely on government agencies, traditional modes of governance fail to meet this challenge. Boasted with its unique advantages, the theory of policy network becomes not only a comprehensive analytic framework in the field of public management, but also a application oriented mode of public governance.In thisthesis, an analysis on the theory of policy network and policy network governance is given, and a review of policy process is made against the background of an interactive network comprised of interdependent behavioral subjects. Then a study of policy network as a new governance mode is carried out, and a demonstration of its capability to compensate the defects of bureaucratic and market governances and ability to meet the demand of EU’s post-modern governance is made. In this thesis, the methods of literature review, comparison analysis and case study are utilized to construct and perfect the theory system of policy network governance, and an empirical study of the application of policy network governance in EU governance and EU decision-making is made.In Chapter One, a general introduction to the background and significance of the thesis is given. A literature review of relevant research from home and abroad is made, and a summary of the research design, structure, methods, data source, innovation and defects is carried out.In Chapter Two, the method of literature review is used and a systemic review of the theory origins, concept and classification of policy network is carried out.In Chapter Three, the method of comparison analysis is used, and a review of the theory and defects of bureaucratic and market governance is given. The bureaucratic mode can’t adjust flexibly to the fast-changing governance environments and results in government failure because of its rigid structure, and the market mode could trigger a series of problem including injustice.Policy network governance has a wider perspective of the behavior subjects in the society, and informal network-oriented structure and connection contribute to the effectiveness and efficiency of its governance performance.In Chapter Four, a study of policy network governance is made in the perspective of EU multi-level governance, in which the authority of EU member state governments is transferred and diffused in a multi-dimensional manner. A study of the deep-rooted reason of democratic deficit and legitimacy crisis is given, and a comment on the effectiveness of policy network governance in handling this issue is made. Policy network governance strikes a balance between democracy and efficiency, and it is not only capable to solve the crisis of democratic deficit, but also to cope with plenty of practical problems in EU governance and decision-making.In Chapter Five, an introduction to the theory of decision-making and its mechanism is made. Then, the method of case study is used and a study of Environment Action Programme of EU (and its predecessor European Community) is carried out to demonstrate the function, routine, structure and performance of policy network governance in EU governance in terms of environment protection. Policy network governance features the advantages and capability to solve the structural dilemma in EU governance, to improve the operational mode of EU governance and strengthen the problem-solving ability of EU governance.At the last part of the thesis, an overall evaluation is given to the theoretical and practical value of policy network governance, and a brief discussion is made regarding the inspiration of policy network governance to the public management practices of China.