policy networks

What are policy networks?  Why are they salient at the level of the European Union?  How might the revolution in Information Technology change them?

Policy networks are interactions between interest groups and the system in which policy is made. These interactions help aid interest groups to achieve their own political goals and expand their sphere of influence on their subject of interest. For example, doctors who are a part of groups who have an influence over the policies that are made and created about health and medicine. Without the support of these professionals who are a part of the medical association, policy is extremely difficult to make if not impossible. It is through these interactions between organizations and policy making that create policy networks.

The European Union lends itself particularly well to policy networks being very important to those wishing to have a say in policy making. Groups seeking to take their issues to a supranational level utilize the European Union. Policy networks in the European allows groups to have a say in decision making above the national governments influence. The European Union presents a window of opportunity to these interest groups called multilevel governance. Due to this feature, policy networks are attractive to utilize to go over the heads of the national government that may have hindered their progress before.

Introduction of new technology always comes with advantages and disadvantages to any network. In the case of social networks technology has caused an exponential increase in the opportunity for people to joining social networks as they are accessible on the world wide web. Joining a group is now easier than ever, and so is being involved in a policy network.  Participation in social activism’s only barrier is now a click of a button. With this increase in accessibility, people can participate in networks for little to no cost at all. Additionally, the growth of the internet undermines the ability of governments and interest groups’ infrastructure. Although the amount of information that people have access too is expanded because of new technology it can be potentially problematic as they must re-think what it means to participate in politics.