Vertrouwen in natuurbeleid? : naar een typologie van verzet

This study investigates the processes that can erode the legitimacy of nature policy and how policymakers can respond. The literature and a qualitative analysis of practical examples show that processes of policy erosion operate in two dimensions. The first dimension concerns the type of arguments that are used. The second dimension concerns the scale at which these processes play out. Concerning the types of argument, the most important difference between them is whether they are based on values, interests or a combination of both. Concerning the scale of these processes, by and large the main difference is between local (or locally initiated) and national processes. Based on these two dimensions and differences, five types of legitimacy problems are described. Each type requires a different response by government, but in general a key element in any action strategy for avoiding legitimacy problems is keeping in touch with society, from planning to implementation