@article {50659,
	title = {Playing defence: Early responses to conflict expansion in the oil sands policy subsystem},
	journal = {Canadian Journal of Political Science},
	volume = {44},
	year = {2011},
	month = {9/2011},
	pages = {507 - 527},
	abstract = {This article examines how powerful policy actors defend themselves against opponents{\textquoteright} strategies of conflict expansion through a case study on the oil sands of Alberta. In response to an escalation of criticism of its performance on environmental regulation and related issues, the government of Alberta has pursued a strategy of engaging in several multi-stakeholder consultations. We argue that in examining subsystem change, it is essential to go beyond an examination of formal institutional mechanisms to examine policy impacts. Thus far, despite a significant pluralisation of consultative mechanisms on the oil sands, there is little or no evidence of a shift in power away from pro-oil sands interests. This strategy of selective opening is designed to bolster the legitimacy of the policy process while maintaining control over decision rules and venues.},
	keywords = {environmental regulation, multi-stakeholder, oil sands},
	issn = {1744-9324},
	doi = {10.1017/S0008423911000473},
	url = {http://cons425.forestry.ubc.ca/files/2011/12/Playing-Defence-accepted-version-for-course.pdf},
	author = {Hoberg, George and Phillips, Jeffrey}
}
