Policy networks on the periphery: EU environmental policy and Scotland

This chapter provides a ‘policy networks’ model to analyze the role of peripheral regions in European Union (EU) environmental policy-making. It argues that a policy networks approach provides clues for understanding both the EU’s general environmental policy-making process, as well as the particular role of the peripheral regions in this process. The chapter outlines the basic components and variations of functional ‘policy networks’. It suggests that EU environmental policy may be viewed as being made within a relatively loose and permeable ‘issue network’. The chapter analyses the Scottish case to illustrate the main components and dynamics of ‘territorial communities’ located in the periphery. It examines the interaction of these several networks, arguing that whilst the Scottish territorial community is sometimes able to represent its interests in EU policy-making, it is ultimately constrained by its ‘embeddedness’ in the wider framework of UK governance. The chapter considers how the constellation of power within and amongst policy networks can change.