1. A method for implementing high-level, device-independent traffic management policies within a computer network having multiple, dissimilar intermediate network devices, the method comprising the steps of: selecting one or more high-level policies; translating the one or more high-level policies into a plurality of executable rules; receiving a request for traffic management policies from an intermediate device supporting a set of network services; selecting, in response to the request, one or more rules that are compatible with the network services supported by the intermediate device; forwarding the selected one or more rules to the intermediate device; and utilizing the one or more rules to configure the set of network services at the intermediate device to realize the selected high-level policies.