chapter 9

Question 1

Political agenda

Answer 1

the set of issues that policy-makers give serious attention to.

Question 2

The media agenda

Answer 2

consists of the issues that receive attention in newspapers, on television and
on the internet;

Question 3

The public agenda

Answer 3

includes the issues that citizens find important at a given point in time.

Question 4

‘outside initiative model’

Answer 4

issues arise within groups in society, which then seek to reach, first,
the public agenda and, next, the political agenda

Question 5

‘mobilization model’

Answer 5

policy-makers take the initiative to place an issue on the political agenda
and then try to gain support for the issue by also placing it on the public agenda.

Question 6

inside access model

Answer 6

issues arise within government and stay there. Thus, they are placed on
the political agenda without attempts being made to place them on the public agenda

Question 7

Motives for solving issues on EU-level

Answer 7

1. tackling cross-border issues
2. political motives (when political actors want to bypass political opposition at home)
3. economic motives (has to do with the effects of differences in regulation –> level playing field)
4. universitalistic motives (all Eu citizens should enjoy the same rights or arrangements)
5. institutional motives
6. combination of motives

Question 8

The steps in a typical EU agenda-setting process

Answer 8

1. Informal discussions among politicians or policy experts in the media
2. (in some policy areas) Multi-annual action plans
3. Commission annual work programme
4. Expert group
5. Green Paper (+ consultation) green paper is a discussion document from the European Commission that outlines general issues and options around an issue without presenting specific proposals
6. White Paper (+ consultation) white paper is a discussion document from the European Commission that presents specific proposals for EU action.
7. Proposal(s)

Question 9

Issue framing

Answer 9

A frame is an interpretation scheme with which issues and events are defined and given meaning. Framing is the activity of (re)defining an issue in such a way that it fits a particular frame

Issue framing determines how an issue is conceived and, consequently, who will be involved in the policy process and whether or not the issue will command a lot of attention

Question 10

policy venue

Answer 10

an institution that has the authority to make decisions about an issue

Question 11

A policy window:

Answer 11

a short period in which an issue commands a lot of attention and decisions on that
issue can be taken.

A policy window opens when three streams of events come together:
- There is wide recognition of the importance of some problem.
- A viable and acceptable solution to that problem is available.
- Political circumstances for the adoption of that solution are favourable.