ONE Policy analysis in Spain: actors and institutions
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Laura Chaqués-Bonafont
Abstract
This chapter explains the main features of policy analysis in Spain. Considering the contributions of this edited volume, it describes how policy actors generate and share technical and political information to address social, economic, and political issues across different institutional frameworks, policy areas, and time. It argues that in recent decades a gradual transformation of policy analysis in Spain from a closed model to a more pluralist and specialised model occurred. Policy analysis in Spain has increased in terms of the number of actors involved, the issues under discussion, and the type of information for the policy process produced. In contrast to previous decades, governmental actors – mainly top public servants – along with a small community of policy experts who traditionally participated in knowledge production lost their monopolistic position in favour of other actors. The proliferation of the number and type of actors involved in policy analysis has expanded policy analysis to multiple areas of interest of researchers and experts, and it has also altered the policy-making process, moving towards a more complex and fragmented political scenario. It evidences an evolution towards a new culture of reporting based on empirical sources, examining facts, applying technical knowledge, and confronting views and values to inspire public policies, overcoming the production of policy analysis from a legalist approach.
Abstract
This chapter explains the main features of policy analysis in Spain. Considering the contributions of this edited volume, it describes how policy actors generate and share technical and political information to address social, economic, and political issues across different institutional frameworks, policy areas, and time. It argues that in recent decades a gradual transformation of policy analysis in Spain from a closed model to a more pluralist and specialised model occurred. Policy analysis in Spain has increased in terms of the number of actors involved, the issues under discussion, and the type of information for the policy process produced. In contrast to previous decades, governmental actors – mainly top public servants – along with a small community of policy experts who traditionally participated in knowledge production lost their monopolistic position in favour of other actors. The proliferation of the number and type of actors involved in policy analysis has expanded policy analysis to multiple areas of interest of researchers and experts, and it has also altered the policy-making process, moving towards a more complex and fragmented political scenario. It evidences an evolution towards a new culture of reporting based on empirical sources, examining facts, applying technical knowledge, and confronting views and values to inspire public policies, overcoming the production of policy analysis from a legalist approach.
Chapters in this book
- Front Matter i
- Contents v
- List of figures and tables vii
- Notes on contributors ix
- Editors’ introduction to the series xvi
- Foreword xviii
- Policy analysis in Spain: actors and institutions 1
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Examining the policy analysis context
- Historical forerunners in Spanish policy analysis 21
- Policy analysis and policy evaluation as a profession 46
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Policy analysis by governments
- Policy analysis in central government: still in its infancy 67
- Policy analysis and regional governments 83
- Policy analysis in local government: objects, perspectives, and actors 102
- Domestic policy analysis by international actors 124
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Policy analysis beyond executive in the public sphere
- Parliamentary committees as policy analysis institutions 141
- Policy analysis and public opinion 165
- Participatory institutions and advisory councils 186
- Policy analysis at universities and research centres 203
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Policy analysis by parties, interest groups, and other actors
- Political parties and policy analysis 225
- Trade unions, policy analysis, and the policy process 246
- Business associations and policy analysis 265
- NGOs as policy analysis partners: from invisibility to expansion 283
- Think tanks and policy analysis 303
- Index 327
Chapters in this book
- Front Matter i
- Contents v
- List of figures and tables vii
- Notes on contributors ix
- Editors’ introduction to the series xvi
- Foreword xviii
- Policy analysis in Spain: actors and institutions 1
-
Examining the policy analysis context
- Historical forerunners in Spanish policy analysis 21
- Policy analysis and policy evaluation as a profession 46
-
Policy analysis by governments
- Policy analysis in central government: still in its infancy 67
- Policy analysis and regional governments 83
- Policy analysis in local government: objects, perspectives, and actors 102
- Domestic policy analysis by international actors 124
-
Policy analysis beyond executive in the public sphere
- Parliamentary committees as policy analysis institutions 141
- Policy analysis and public opinion 165
- Participatory institutions and advisory councils 186
- Policy analysis at universities and research centres 203
-
Policy analysis by parties, interest groups, and other actors
- Political parties and policy analysis 225
- Trade unions, policy analysis, and the policy process 246
- Business associations and policy analysis 265
- NGOs as policy analysis partners: from invisibility to expansion 283
- Think tanks and policy analysis 303
- Index 327
