Ο «εξευρωπαϊσμός» της δημόσιας πολιτικής: Η εθνική περιβαλλοντική πολιτική ανάμεσα σε εσωτερικούς παράγοντες και υπερεθνικές δεσμεύσεις

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to examine the tensions arising in the intersections between commitments of the Greek government at the EU-level and domestic factors working in the implementation phase. It is argued that Greece belongs to the "laggard” countries on issues of environmental protection. Since the environmental policy of the Eli is driven by the leaders in this policy area, a gap arises between the standards reflected in EU-regulations and the "national preferences" as they are defined through the domestic political process. The unavoidable friction is more pronounced at the implementation phase in the national context, where developmental imperatives as they are perceived by politicians and citizens, frail ethics against common properties and clientelistic traditions combine to counter environmental policy innovation. The Greek experience in the environmental sector indicates that European integration has not weakened the ability of the nation-state to pursue national preferences, however these may be assessed.