De legitimiteit van het natuurbeleid van LNV

Abstract

The legitimacy of LNV's nature policy. The traditional theory on the legitimacy of bureaucracy stands in need of revision. Bureaucracies cannot adequately be described as instruments of political authorities. In this paper the discussion on governance within a Dutch Ministry is used to distinguish two views on how the traditional view on the legitimacy of bureaucracy can be enhanced. Both these views claim that a bureaucracy must also legitimate itself directly toward the general public. But they differ as to the way in which this direct legitimisation must take form. One view stresses the need for negotiation and compromise, the other the necessity of providing arguments to explain policy choices.