Problematising Brexit in Northern Ireland's rural environment

Sean Heron

Research output: Contribution to conferencePaper

Abstract

Following Foucault, post-structuralists have considered the task of problematisation as central to analysis. Carol Bacchi’s method “What is the Problem Represented to be?” (WPR) offers a clear framework and rationale for this. Contrary to rationalist analysis problems are not self evident, governments play a central role in “producing problems”, this is the act of problematisation. Through specific problematisations the government produces governable subjects, objects and places.

This analysis should not be restricted to government. Due to the expansion of governance activity as a result of the decentralisation of decision making power, and the more inclusive nature of policy networks, political actors have a greater ability to shape policy than ever before. However, this increasing inclusivity has led for certain policy areas to be more heavily contested by competing discourses. Each actor within a policy field identifies problems particular to the discourses they identify with. The problems identified then identify the potential solutions creating a field of possibilities which excludes other possible actions.
This paper will provide an analysis of the different problematisations of different rural environmental political actors in Northern Ireland, thus drawing out the field of possibility and drawing from this potential antagonisms. It will argue that this method provides a plausible explanation for policy development, and rural environmental governance.
Original languageEnglish
Publication statusPublished - 28 Oct 2019
Event2nd Researching Brexit Conference 2019 - Durham University, Durham, United Kingdom
Duration: 28 Oct 201929 Oct 2019

Conference

Conference2nd Researching Brexit Conference 2019
Country/TerritoryUnited Kingdom
CityDurham
Period28/10/201929/10/2019

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