Verdieping van de Schelde, ontwikkeling van de interactie bij politieke besluitvorming.

Abstract

The aim of this thesis is to investigate and identify the interaction in the political decision-making process concerning the Scheldt, and to identify factors of major importance in transnational river projects. The thesis identifies different interests of private and public actors in Belgium and the Netherlands with regard to the deepening of the Scheldt between 1975 and 2005. In a detailed central section the thesis provides the reader a chronology of the development of the interaction between private and public actors using a transnational approach. Here, the thesis draws on a number of sources from other universities concerning transnational river projects and archives. In conclusion, the thesis argues that three external and three internal factors are essential in the development of the interaction in political decision-making in transnational river projects. This thesis hopes to offer an overview on the interaction of the deepening of the Scheldt as transnational river project, and thus make a small contribution on research concerning political decision-making in transnational river projects.