Multiple Actors With Conflicting Interests – an Institutional Environment in Which Policy Copying is Impossible

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.58894/EJPP.2018.1.254

Abstract

In many of the political studies the policy transfer concept is primary engaged with the processes leading to transfer of specific policy and measures, although it is recognized that the use of specific ideas or programs outside their political environment depends on many mediating factors. Within this report the transfer is refered as including the transfer of administrative and institutional knowledge, but not necessarily, and transfer of political styles and structures. Through the example of European Employment Policy the benefits of knowledge transfer (policy learning) are emphasized instead of copying ready examples of policy and measures (policy transfer). Theories of learning offer an alternative to the fully rational approach, because unlike it they specify that the choice of behavior is driven by combinations based on selection and adaptation more than rational calculation.

In this context, of particular interest is the European Employment Strategy (EES) – implemented through a new method of governance – Open Method of Coordination (OMC). Thus, the European Employment Policy highlights the mutual learning and joint development of agreement on a common interpretation of problems, objectives and results as factors of development and public policy change. This happens in a very complex environment of multiple actors with conflicting interests - institutional environment in which copying policies is impossible.