The Politics of Policy Integration and Administrative Coordination

Scholars from different strands of literature agree that cross-sectoral dynamics become increasingly important for policymaking and implementation. Yet, we know very little about the politics that shape cross-sectoral policymaking and the motivations of decisionmakers to pursue such type of policies. In this paper, we contribute to this discussion, by showing that cross-sectoral policy instruments emerge as a new paradigm of public sector governance. Furthermore, we argue that either problem-solving oriented or politically oriented motivations drive such reforms. Based on empirical research comparing four sectors across 13 countries, with a special focus on France and the UK, we conclude that four mechanisms of cross-sectoral governance are at work: comprehensive integration, administrative re-organisation, strategic symbolism, and re-integration/disintegration.