Thirteen Policy development in political parties
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Anika Gauja
Abstract
Political parties are regarded as a fundamental element of the Australian system of politics and government and an important component of the broader policy process. As aggregators and articulators of citizen opinion, one of the key functions of parties in representative democracies is to develop policy, which is presented to the voters at elections and implemented once a political party assumes elected office. This function is integral to the operation of party government and an important mechanism by which political parties act as intermediaries between citizens and the state – providing the basis for representation, citizen participation in politics and the aggregation of the policy preferences of the masses. The chapter compares policy development in the Australian Labor Party (ALP), the Liberals, the Nationals and the Greens.
Abstract
Political parties are regarded as a fundamental element of the Australian system of politics and government and an important component of the broader policy process. As aggregators and articulators of citizen opinion, one of the key functions of parties in representative democracies is to develop policy, which is presented to the voters at elections and implemented once a political party assumes elected office. This function is integral to the operation of party government and an important mechanism by which political parties act as intermediaries between citizens and the state – providing the basis for representation, citizen participation in politics and the aggregation of the policy preferences of the masses. The chapter compares policy development in the Australian Labor Party (ALP), the Liberals, the Nationals and the Greens.
Chapters in this book
- Frontmatter i
- Contents v
- List of tables and figures vii
- List of abbreviations viii
- Australian states and territories; Australian governments from 1972; and map of Australian states and territories xi
- Notes on contributors xiii
- Editors’ introduction to the series xvii
- Foreword xix
- Preface xxiv
- Policy analysis in Australia: context, themes and challenges 1
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The ‘policy advising’ context
- Policy professionals in context: advisors and ministers 23
- The economic context of policy analysis in Australia 37
- Policy analysis and public sector capacity 53
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Analysis and advice within government
- Policy analysis at the federal government level 71
- Policy and policy analysis in Australian states 87
- Policy analysis capacity and Australian local government 105
- Reflections on policy advice in Australia 121
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Policy analysis beyond executive government
- Parliamentary committees and inquiries 137
- Expert policy advisory bodies 151
- Consultants, think tanks and public policy 167
- Media influence on public policy 183
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Parties and interest groups in policy analysis
- Policy development in political parties 201
- Business associations and policy analysis 217
- Policy and the labour movement 231
- Policy capacity in the community sector 245
-
Policy analysis instruction and research
- Policy analysis instruction in Australia 261
- Academic research and public policy 283
- Index 303
Chapters in this book
- Frontmatter i
- Contents v
- List of tables and figures vii
- List of abbreviations viii
- Australian states and territories; Australian governments from 1972; and map of Australian states and territories xi
- Notes on contributors xiii
- Editors’ introduction to the series xvii
- Foreword xix
- Preface xxiv
- Policy analysis in Australia: context, themes and challenges 1
-
The ‘policy advising’ context
- Policy professionals in context: advisors and ministers 23
- The economic context of policy analysis in Australia 37
- Policy analysis and public sector capacity 53
-
Analysis and advice within government
- Policy analysis at the federal government level 71
- Policy and policy analysis in Australian states 87
- Policy analysis capacity and Australian local government 105
- Reflections on policy advice in Australia 121
-
Policy analysis beyond executive government
- Parliamentary committees and inquiries 137
- Expert policy advisory bodies 151
- Consultants, think tanks and public policy 167
- Media influence on public policy 183
-
Parties and interest groups in policy analysis
- Policy development in political parties 201
- Business associations and policy analysis 217
- Policy and the labour movement 231
- Policy capacity in the community sector 245
-
Policy analysis instruction and research
- Policy analysis instruction in Australia 261
- Academic research and public policy 283
- Index 303
