Understanding coherence between policy spheres

Research aims and contribution to the literature on policy coherenceIssues of coherence are intrinsic to public policy making.With growing responsibilities of the modern state, and the subsequent differentiation of public policy domains, the potential for contradictions and conflict has markedly increased.Coherence is particularly challenging in the multilevel and fragmented political system of the European Union.With the expansion of EU competencies, from traditional economic areas such as the single market and the common agricultural policy, to foreign policy, justice and home affairs and to environmental policy, demands for dealing effectively with their interconnections have also grown.This special issue makes two distinct contributions.Theoretically, the aim is to develop our understanding of policy coherence, a widespread policy mantra that has remained surprisingly overlooked in academic debates.Building on the existing literature, the contributions develop original analytical frameworks to approach policy coherence and understand the core political mechanisms and processes that underpin it.In addition, this special issue aims to make a