Dutch rural policies at a turning point

Abstract

In the 1990s we witnessed the emergence of a new trend in Dutch rural policy. Within the framework of integrated region-oriented policies, regional coalitions of state, civil society and market parties have started seeking solutions for rural problems by carrying out specific projects. Besides an emphasis on public-private partnership, joint decision-making and the regional level, a key characteristic of the new policies is the integrated approach to rural problems. Instead of dealing with one dominant sector, one single policy objective or one single point of view, the approach aims at integration, synergy and 'win-win'. After identifying the developments causing the policy change, this chapter deals with three emerging regional policy arrangements in which the organisational reform manifests itself in the Netherlands: LEADER II in Northwest Friesland, 'Waardevol Cultuur Landschap' in a region called the Graafschap and 'Landstad Deventer' in a region called Southwest Salland. As these projects do not come about in isolation, attention is focused on the relationship between decision-making at the regional level and the complex policy context. Certain tensions may arise between the regional policy innovation and more traditional approaches to deal with rural problems. A related issue to be dealt with is the long-term effects of these regional projects. As these face different and sometimes conflicting expectations, institutional fragmentation, a multitude of overlapping policy categories and traditional 'command-and-control' policies, the following question has to be asked: To what extent can the innovative approach be fully worked out and to what extent will it have lasting effects? At the conceptual level, this question implies a focus on the process of and conditions for institutionalisation. In other words: Do the emerging arrangements institutionalise, how can they be typified and what are the explanations for (a lack of) institutionalisation? Methodologically, the research questions call for a case study design. Only a thorough analysis and reconstruction of the decision-making processes in conjunction with the wider institutional context, allows discernment of the characteristics of the three emerging policy arrangements. The primary focus is therefore on actors, their intentions, strategies, interactions and interpretations. Secondly these happenings and interpretations are con-fronted with a broader frame of meaning, in this case the policy arrangement framework and the concept of congruence. The chapter concludes with a reflection on several aspects of the analysis. I particularly discuss the meaning of the new arrangements for the shift from government to governance and reflect on recent developments in the Dutch rural policy field and their consequences for region-oriented arrangements. © 2006 Springer.