ABSTRACT
This chapter presents an overview of two policy systems in relation to urban questions. As urban questions themselves are complex and diffuse, so are the policy systems complex and diffuse. The description of both policy-systems serves as a context for the cases. Some of the phenomena which are described in the cases can be explained to a greater or a lesser extent by elements of the respective policy systems. The Polish policy system is in a stage of dramatic change after a period of transition from 1980 until 1989. The concept of pluralism is basic to the Dutch political system. This is visible vertically (national-provincial-municipal) as well as horizontally (within one tier of government). A consequence of pluralism is the great variety of policy styles and traditions within government. Pluralism is visible in the embedding of public administration in other institutional frameworks. In the urban policy system the rights and position of an individual are protected formally.
