Anti-smog regulations in Poland as a case study of the effectiveness of law

Resumen

Abstract. In this paper we present the idea of a case study designed to examine the effectiveness of those regulations that aim at combating air pollution. We believe that the specific situation we encountered in one of the most contaminated regions of Poland provides an unique research opportunity to shed some light on the question of estimation of effectiveness of law and to develop and refine the highly debated theory of wicked problems. Because our research project is at the preliminary stage, our claims and observations are still tentative.

Keywords: societal problems, policy science, air pollution, wicked problems, natural experiment, case study, effectiveness of law.