Fracking in the UK and Switzerland: why differences in policymaking systems don't always produce different outputs and outcomes. (18th January 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Cairney, Paul; Fischer, Manuel; Ingold, Karin
• Is Part Of: Policy and politics. Volume 46:Number 1(2018)
• Page Start: 125
• Page End: 147
• Publication Date: 2018-01-18
• Subjects: HYDRAULIC FRACTURING -- ADVOCACY COALITION FRAMEWORK -- POLICY SUBSYSTEM -- COMPARATIVE POLICY ANALYSIS; Local government -- Great Britain -- Periodicals; Policy sciences -- Periodicals; Political science -- Periodicals; 320.605
• DOI: 10.1332/030557316X14793989976783
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0305-5736

Abstract

Abstract : We address a key puzzle in policy studies: why don't major differences in political systems and policy produce major differences in policy processes, outputs, and outcomes? We show why key aspects of fracking policy are similar in the UK and Switzerland despite the UK majoritarian government being 'all out for shale' and Switzerland's consensus democracy favouring moratoriums. We use the 'advocacy coalition framework' and new survey data to show why differences in UK and Swiss processes are subtle. In both cases, actors cooperate and compete with each other by sharing information within and across coalitions.