The policy processes and the decline of the British deep-mined coal industry from the mid-1960s to 1995
The thesis develops a multi-theoretic framework which has the network approach at its centre but brings in elements from rational choice and complexity theory. Policy- making in the coal industry is seen as being conducted by a number of institutions which have rational interests, are interacting in networks and are a part of complex systems. The thesis also adopts an historical approach and attempts to link the different eras in a more dynamic way than is achieved by the current literature. In two substantive chapters it is argued that: in 1967 fuel policy was captured by the economists working in the Ministry; the reversal of policy in 1974 followed the shift of the power relationships within the policy network; and that the primary objective of the Conservative Governments was the establishment of an efficient and financially viable coal industry within the context of a competitive energy market. The industry's decline to its 1995 level was neither planned nor foreseen until the early 1990s. The thesis also explores why two Plan for Coal investment programmes, 1950 and 1974, failed to halt the industry's long-run decline Indeed it is argued that the implementation of those programmes contributed its problems.
Chapman, John H.
History
The policy processes and the decline of the British deep-mined coal industry from the mid-1960s to 1995. The thesis develops a multi-theoretic framework which has the network approach at its centre but brings in elements from rational choice and complexity theory. Policy- making in the coal industry is seen as being conducted by a number of institutions which have rational interests, are interacting in networks and are a part of complex systems. The thesis also adopts an historical approach and attempts to link the different eras in a more dynamic way than is achieved by the current literature. In two substantive chapters it is argued that: in 1967 fuel policy was captured by the economists working in the Ministry; the reversal of policy in 1974 followed the shift of the power relationships within the policy network; and that the primary objective of the Conservative Governments was the establishment of an efficient and financially viable coal industry within the context of a competitive energy market. The industry's decline to its 1995 level was neither planned nor foreseen until the early 1990s. The thesis also explores why two Plan for Coal investment programmes, 1950 and 1974, failed to halt the industry's long-run decline Indeed it is argued that the implementation of those programmes contributed its problems.
policy process decline_british deep coal_industry develop multi theoretic framework network centre bring element rational_choice complexity theory policy make coal_industry see conduct number institution rational interest interact network part complex_system also adopt historical attempt link different era dynamic way achieve current_literature substantive argue fuel policy capture economist work ministry reversal policy follow shift power relationship within policy network primary_objective conservative establishment efficient financially viable coal_industry within_context competitive energy market industry decline level neither plan also_explore plan coal investment programme fail halt industry long run decline indeed argue implementation programme contribute problem