Major Sources on Environmental Politics, 1974-77: The Maturing of a Literature

In: Policy studies journal: an international journal of public policy, Band 7, Heft 3, S. 592-604

Abstract

A brief review of the major works published since 1974 on the formulation & implementation of policy dealing with air & water pollution, land use (from an environmental perspective), & the protection of natural resources is presented. Emphasis is placed on those works that have attempted to apply the cumulative knowledge of the profession & have made potentially significant contributions to the general understanding of the policy-making process. The material is organized in terms of stages in the policy process & classified in terms of agenda-setting, policy formulation & legitimation, & policy implementation & evaluation. Agenda setting examines the manner in which political culture, public opinion, interest groups, governmental elite, & other variables affect issues & their presentation on societal & political agendas. Policy formulation & legitimation focuses on attitudes of legislators & chief executives, transfer of authority for regulating land use from local governments to regional &/or state institutions, & the effects of public opinion on environmental legislation. Three methods of enforcing pollution control standards are examined in policy implementation & evaluation: (1) the traditional regulatory approach embodying emission regulations, (2) effluent charges, & (3) the development of markets in pollution rights. Modified HA.