Services of General Interest: policy challenges and policy options

Abstract

Services of general interest (SGI) are a key element in European society and their role is critical as drivers of the economy, and in securing societal cohesion, thereby delivering quality of life for all citizens. The prime focus of this paper is upon the means by which policies to support the appropriate provision of SGI throughout Europe are devised. A framework of policy design principles is presented in which the dynamic of policy formulation is explored in relation to questions concerning multi-scalar governance, and the nature of top-down and bottom-up engagement between levels of governance in the policy formation process. Further analysis is provided in discussion concerning the substantive issues to which policy design must respond, including the challenges of global and regional drivers of change, such as the economic crisis and climate change; as well as the appropriate nature of collaboration between levels of governance; the necessary compromise to be sought between rebalancing the European territory at the macro level and essential investment in economic recovery; and finally the challenges arising in relation to sectoral policy integration in a territorial place-based context.