"ESS avgörs i Bryssel": Nätverk söker förankring i institutionell beslutsstruktur

Sammanfattning: This paper aims at describing and explaining the bi-and multilateral negotiations that are, and have been, taking place between Sweden's chief negotiator Allan Larsson and European countries, and within the EU institutions in Brussels, in order to seek support for the Swedish offer to host the European Spallation Source, ESS. It applies a case study method using political science theories ? governance and government ? and to a large extent information from the involved actors in the policy process. The paper also presents a constructive position, in showing how the negotiations on ESS can turn into a process leading to a decision on the construction of this research facility. ESS is negotiated in networks on bi- and multilateral levels consisting of European research representatives and financiers. In order for a decision on ESS to be taken at European level, these negotiations require to be anchored in an institutional decision-making structure. This structure for European Research Infrastructure is currently being developed within the European Union. Future decisions in the EU on European Research Infrastructure seem to be necessary for a realization of an ESS facility. ESS will, in other words, be decided upon in Brussels.