Research Collection Master Thesis The National Wolf Strategy in Austria An Evaluation of the Wolf Management-Plan and its Formulation Process using the Multiple-Streams Framework Author(s): Schäfer, Marleen Publication Date: 2012 Permanent Link: https://doi.org/10.3929/ethz-a-007366616 Rights / License: In Copyright - Non-Commercial Use Permitted This page was generated automatically upon download from the ETH Zurich Research Collection. For more information please consult the Terms of use. ETH Library The National Wolf Strategy in Austria An Evaluation of the Wolf Management-Plan and its Formulation Process using the Multiple-Streams Framework National Geographic Society 2003 Master Thesis in Environmental Science By: Marleen Schäfer July 2012 Supervisor: Prof. Dr. Willi Zimmermann Dr. Christian Hirschi Institute for Environmental Policy and Economics Table of Contents List of Tables ...................................................................................................................................... iv List of Figures ..................................................................................................................................... iv Acronyms ............................................................................................................................................v Acknowledgements ............................................................................................................................ vi Summary ............................................................................................................................................ 1 1 Introduction .............................................................................................................................. 2 1.1 The Context .......................................................................................................................... 2 1.2 The Focus .............................................................................................................................. 3 1.3 Research Questions ............................................................................................................. 4 1.4 Delineation and Outline of the Thesis ............................................................................... 5 2 The Wolf ..................................................................................................................................... 6 2.1 Biology ................................................................................................................................... 6 2.2 Emotions in Society ............................................................................................................. 7 2.3 European Wolf Dispersal and Habitat Suitability in Austria ........................................... 7 2.4 Protection Status ............................................................................................................... 11 2.4.1 Bern Convention ........................................................................................................... 11 2.4.2 Habitats Directive ......................................................................................................... 12 2.4.3 National Legislation ...................................................................................................... 13 3 Conceptual Framework and Methodology ................................................................ 16 3.1 The Multiple-Streams Framework ................................................................................... 16 3.1.1 Problem Stream............................................................................................................ 17 3.1.2 Policy Stream ................................................................................................................ 18 3.1.3 Politics Stream .............................................................................................................. 20 3.1.4 Policy Entrepreneurs .................................................................................................... 20 3.1.5 Window of Opportunity ............................................................................................... 21 3.1.6 Stream coupling ........................................................................................................... 22 3.1.7 Applicability of the Multiple-Streams Framework ........................................................ 22 3.2 The Policy Design ............................................................................................................... 23 3.3 Method ............................................................................................................................... 25 3.3.1 Document Analysis ....................................................................................................... 25 3.3.2 Survey ........................................................................................................................... 25 3.3.3 Expert Interviews.......................................................................................................... 26 - i - 4 Case Analysis .......................................................................................................................... 28 4.1 The Problem Stream .......................................................................................................... 28 4.1.1 Problem Recognition .................................................................................................... 29 4.1.2 Problem Definition ....................................................................................................... 31 4.1.3 Focusing Events ............................................................................................................ 32 4.1.4 Indicators ...................................................................................................................... 34 4.1.5 Feedback ...................................................................................................................... 35 4.1.6 Budget .......................................................................................................................... 36 4.2 The Policy Stream .............................................................................................................. 37 4.2.1 Policy community ......................................................................................................... 37 4.2.2 The Management Policy ............................................................................................... 40 4.2.3 Technical Feasibility ...................................................................................................... 40 4.2.4 Value Acceptance ......................................................................................................... 41 4.2.5 Anticipation of Future Constraints ............................................................................... 41 4.3 The Politics Stream ............................................................................................................ 42 4.3.1 National Mood ............................................................................................................. 43 4.3.2 Political Mood .............................................................................................................. 43 4.3.3 Organized Political Forces ............................................................................................ 44 4.3.4 Intra-political Events .................................................................................................... 47 4.4 Policy Entrepreneurs ......................................................................................................... 48 4.5 Agenda-Setting ................................................................................................................... 50 4.5.1 Open Windows but no Stream Coupling ...................................................................... 51 4.5.2 Stream Coupling – was it really successful? ................................................................. 51 4.5.3 Post Coupling ................................................................................................................ 53 5 The Result: The Austrian Wolf Management Plan .................................................. 54 5.1 Goals and Objectives ......................................................................................................... 54 5.2 Evaluative Elements .......................................................................................................... 55 5.3 Operational Elements ....................................................................................................... 56 5.3.1 Regulatory – Direct Measures ...................................................................................... 56 5.3.2 Incentive Mode ............................................................................................................ 57 5.3.3 Direct Supply of Goods and Services ............................................................................ 60 5.3.4 Persuasion and Information ......................................................................................... 61 5.4 Political-Administrative Arrangement and Resources .................................................. 62 5.5 Procedural Elements ........................................................................................................