The thesis analyses the 2013 Cohesion Policy reform as a case of European integration. By revisiting neofunctionalism and combining it with the Multiple Streams approach, it is possible to provide a new angle to the phenomenon of the Cohesion Policy’s integration into the European economic governance framework. The thesis utilises qualitative content analysis to systematically analyse the dynamics that influenced the reform process and eventually lead to the establishment of new integrative linkages. It is revealed how the integration dynamics originated in the economic policy arena and spilled over into the Cohesion Policy reform. Consequently, the thesis concludes that the neofunctionalist concept of functional spillover remains a powerful analytical tool and it is shown in what way neofunctional mechanisms continue to materialise in the European polity.

Soil is essentially irreversibly damaged when covered with impervious artificialsurfaces, a process known as soil sealing. Previous research on soil sealing policiesmainly studied strategies for effective local policy implementation. However, ifeffective implementation of soil sealing policies is to be considered, soil sealing policiesshould be on the local agenda. Therefore, this master thesis explored the local agendasetting of soil sealing. It drew on the Multiple Streams Approach and studied the agendasetting with respect to problem recognition, policy generation and actors’ engagement.Four Swedish municipalities with urban areas where soil sealing was already on thelocal agenda were examined. An analysis of policy documents and interviews withmunicipal civils servants and politicians enabled a comparison of the local agendasetting processes of soil sealing. The results showed general similarities in the problemrecognition by indicators and feedback, but differences in the importance of focusingevents. In one municipality, a focusing event in the form of a flooding seems to havepushed the issue of soil sealing to the local agenda. A powerful symbol, with whichproblems with soil sealing were recognized as a problem of the ethnicity of the citizens,was arguably used in one municipality. The role of consultants, the importance ofinspiration from other municipalities and the value acceptability of soil sealing policiesin the policy generation process were similar across all municipalities. In onemunicipality, researchers’ involvement was significant in the policy generation process.Regarding actors’ engagement, this master thesis showed that politicians were notconsidered as engaged with soil sealing by civil servants across all municipalities.However, according to all interviewed politicians, they considered themselves asengaged with issues of soil sealing. Moreover, policy entrepreneurs most probably hadan important role in the agenda setting of soil sealing in one municipality only.

The purpose of this qualitative ethnographic study was to explore citizen perceptions of the phenomenon of law enforcement shootings involving an imitation firearm. A secondary purpose was to document knowledge of current imitation firearm policies and thoughts on the effectiveness of said policies. Kingdon's multiple streams approach was used as the theoretical framework. This theory addressed the sources of power that influence policy decisions, the stakeholders involved in agenda setting, and factors that shape policy debates. Data were collected using a combination of secondary data analysis, field observations and semi structured, face-to-face interviews with 23 citizens. Sampling strategies included a combination of snowball, purposeful, and variation sampling to identify interviewees from four specific subject groups: law enforcement, parents of children aged 10-17-years-old, citizens with no law enforcement experience and no children aged 10-17-years-old, and leaders in the community. Results from domain and taxonomic coding revealed the themes of safety, responsibility, and accountability. Specifically, subjects wanted to ensure both law enforcement and citizens were safe in the community, they wanted to see parents take responsibility for their children, and they wanted to see legislation that held people accountable for their actions when using imitation firearms during the commission of a crime. Findings may be used for positive social change by enhancing imitation firearm policies, recognizing ways to improve data tracking, and identifying educational opportunities for both citizens and law enforcement. Enhanced firearm policies can also help mitigate unnecessary shootings and reduce community conflicts between citizens and police.

Confrontées à l’inaction des États et à la sévérité de la crise environnementale, plusieurs grandes villes choisissent non seulement d’agir localement, mais aussi sur la scène internationale dans le but de trouver des solutions et s’adapter au défi climatique. Longtemps considérées comme étant nuisibles à l’environnement de par leur consommation de diverses ressources, les autorités locales constituent aussi des acteurs stratégiques dans la lutte aux changements climatiques, puisqu’elles exercent une influence considérable sur les émissions de gaz à effet de serre. Afin d’avoir un effet agrégé à l’échelle mondiale, plusieurs métropoles participent au sein d’organisations transnationales municipales. C’est d’ailleurs le cas de la Ville de Montréal qui après avoir soumis une demande officielle d’adhésion en novembre 2015, est devenu membre du réseau C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group (C40) à la fin de 2016. Ce dernier regroupe plus 90 métropoles et cherche notamment à adopter un plan d’action commun pour répondre au réchauffement planétaire. Compte tenu du fait qu’il existe une variation importante au niveau de la participation des villes à l’international, que les facteurs plutôt objectifs, tels que la vulnérabilité, les capacités et la connectivité d’une ville ne semblent pas justifier cette différenciation, nous proposons d’étudier l’influence du maire dans la mise à l’agenda d’une telle option. Plus spécifiquement, cette recherche vise à répondre à la question suivante: comment le maire de Montréal, Denis Coderre, a-t-il influencé le processus de mise à l’agenda décisionnel de l’adhésion de sa ville à l’organisation C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group en 2015? Pour répondre à cette question, nous adoptons l’approche théorique de l’agenda setting proposée par John W. Kingdon dans son livre intitulé Agendas, Alternatives and Public Policies (2003). Ce travail séminal en politique publique permet de poser comme hypothèse de travail que Denis Coderre a agi comme un entrepreneur politique. Grâce aux données collectées, par l’entremise d’entrevues et d’analyse de divers types de contenus, ce projet vise à apporter une contribution à la fois empirique et théorique à la littérature sur les politiques publiques, les études urbaines et les relations internationales.