Three Policy analysis in networks: the battle of analysis and the potentials of joint fact-finding
-
Arwin van Buuren
Abstract
The Netherlands have a strong tradition of policy making that is based on knowledge of public scientific institutions. The horizontalization that characterizes policy making in many areas, resulting in the tossing and tolling over issues in multiple arenas between various actors, did also have an impact on the role of policy analysis in these areas. As conflicts arose over policies, the scientific foundation of these policies are no longer automatically taken for granted. As in other fields in the network-like policy settings battles of analysis (wars of reports) are fought in which stakeholders mobilize counter expertise. Policy advocacy results in the emergence of contradictory truths that contribute to uncertainty rather than resolving it and deepen policy controversies. Recently the rise of social media have eroded the authority of scientific institutions even further.
Abstract
The Netherlands have a strong tradition of policy making that is based on knowledge of public scientific institutions. The horizontalization that characterizes policy making in many areas, resulting in the tossing and tolling over issues in multiple arenas between various actors, did also have an impact on the role of policy analysis in these areas. As conflicts arose over policies, the scientific foundation of these policies are no longer automatically taken for granted. As in other fields in the network-like policy settings battles of analysis (wars of reports) are fought in which stakeholders mobilize counter expertise. Policy advocacy results in the emergence of contradictory truths that contribute to uncertainty rather than resolving it and deepen policy controversies. Recently the rise of social media have eroded the authority of scientific institutions even further.
Chapters in this book
- Front Matter i
- Contents v
- List of figures and tables ix
- List of acronyms x
- Notes on contributors xiv
- Editors’ introduction to the series xx
- Preface and acknowledgements xxii
- Policy analysis in the Netherlands: an introduction 1
-
Styles and modes of policy analysis
- Policy analysis in practice: reinterpreting the quest for evidence-based policy 17
- Policy analysis in networks: the battle of analysis and the potentials of joint fact-finding 33
- Patterns of science–policy interaction 49
- Interpretive policy analysis in the Netherlands 69
-
Policy analysis in government
- Policy analysis and evaluation in national government 89
- Policy analysis at the local government level 107
- Policy analysis and performance audit at the ‘highest level’: looking for evidence and responsiveness 121
-
Advisory bodies, consultancy firms, research institutes and think tanks
- Advisory boards and planning bureaus 139
- The Dutch policy research industry 155
-
Policy analysis in politics and by interest groups in society
- Policy analysis in the Dutch Parliament 171
- Policy analysis and political party think tanks 187
- Policy analysis by negotiation: trade unions, employers’ organisations and the Social and Economic Council 203
-
Policy analysis in the academic world
- Policy analysis as instruction 217
- Contested knowledge in theory-driven policy analysis: setting the Dutch stage 231
- Institutionalisation and performance of policy analysis and evaluation in the Netherlands 247
- Index 255
Chapters in this book
- Front Matter i
- Contents v
- List of figures and tables ix
- List of acronyms x
- Notes on contributors xiv
- Editors’ introduction to the series xx
- Preface and acknowledgements xxii
- Policy analysis in the Netherlands: an introduction 1
-
Styles and modes of policy analysis
- Policy analysis in practice: reinterpreting the quest for evidence-based policy 17
- Policy analysis in networks: the battle of analysis and the potentials of joint fact-finding 33
- Patterns of science–policy interaction 49
- Interpretive policy analysis in the Netherlands 69
-
Policy analysis in government
- Policy analysis and evaluation in national government 89
- Policy analysis at the local government level 107
- Policy analysis and performance audit at the ‘highest level’: looking for evidence and responsiveness 121
-
Advisory bodies, consultancy firms, research institutes and think tanks
- Advisory boards and planning bureaus 139
- The Dutch policy research industry 155
-
Policy analysis in politics and by interest groups in society
- Policy analysis in the Dutch Parliament 171
- Policy analysis and political party think tanks 187
- Policy analysis by negotiation: trade unions, employers’ organisations and the Social and Economic Council 203
-
Policy analysis in the academic world
- Policy analysis as instruction 217
- Contested knowledge in theory-driven policy analysis: setting the Dutch stage 231
- Institutionalisation and performance of policy analysis and evaluation in the Netherlands 247
- Index 255
