Naturvårdsverkets paradoxala förvaltning - en konsument utan ansvar för det gemensamma

Abstract: Governance and ideology have significant influence on how problems and policies are conceptualized. This conceptualization affects the way in which political subjects are formed and how individuals regard themselves. In this paper we approach environmental policy from a post-structuralist stance. Our ambition is to demonstrate a paradoxical relationship between the current consumer oriented representation of the problem, and its abilities to effectively remedy environmental issues. We focus on the conceptualization of political subjects as consumers and its effects over individuals, the conditions for effective environmental policy and the continued dominance of New Public Management. The material consists of annual reports from swedish agency Naturvårdsverket. We argue that Naturvårdsverkets representation of the problem defines the consumer as the responsible actor for environmental challanges. A consumer that ultimately lacks a sense of responsibility for this collective concern.