French farmers and the legitimacy outcomes of greening policies: A red tape perspective

This article examines the political meaning of farmers’ discourse against the red tape associated with environmental standards: how do they relate to transition objectives? Studying the case of the Common Agricultural Policy, this paper relies on the sociology of red tape and policy feedback. We show that discourses on paperwork highlight an ambiguous, nuanced and collectively structured relationship to the greening of the CAP. We focus on the arguments developed by the actors and their underlying beliefs. We thus identify two structuring moral principles: responsibility and reality. In both cases, criticism of bureaucratization does not systematically lead to environmental inertia or a complete delegitimization of public programs: on the contrary, they may signify recognition or even an attachment to policy objectives. The case provides an opportunity to discuss the role of bureaucratization in the legitimization of public policies.