McGowan, Francis (2018) Policy learning or politics as usual? Explaining the rise and retrenchment of renewable support policies in Europe. In: ECSA - C Biennial Conference, May 9-11 2018, Toronto, Canada.

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Abstract

This paper analyses the changing nature of renewable policies within the EU and the processes of policy learning that have contributed to those changes. While one part of this story is well-known - the transfer of policy ideas associated with the take-up of renewable support mechanisms, particularly the diffusion of the "Feed-In Tariff" - the subsequent retrenchment of renewable policies is less well understood. The paper considers whether the reduction, and some cases the reversal, of support which has taken place in a number of member states over the last decade can also be seen as an example of policy learning. In this case the process comprises both a domestic component (reactions to the unanticipated consequences of earlier policy choices) and an international component (policy-makers borrowing measures adopted by "early retrenchers" with the EU as a forum or even a catalyst for redefining policies). The paper assesses the analytical value of a policy learning approach compared with other explanations for such policy changes, particularly those which draw upon more conventional political drivers such as political parties, interest groups and institutional conditions.

Item Type:	Conference or Workshop Item (Paper)
Schools and Departments:	School of Law, Politics and Sociology > Politics
Subjects:	J Political Science > JN Political institutions (Europe) > JN0101 Great Britain J Political Science > JN Political institutions (Europe) > JN3201 Germany
Related URLs:	Publisher
Depositing User:	Francis McGowan
Date Deposited:	25 Jun 2019 10:51
Last Modified:	23 Oct 2020 14:57
URI:	http://sro.sussex.ac.uk/id/eprint/84511

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