Policy Press
Fifteen Contested knowledge in theory-driven policy analysis: setting the Dutch stage
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Victor Bekkers
Abstract
In contemporary Dutch society, the content and outcomes of policy analysis activities are shaped by three forces which play a role when discussing the nature of specific societal challenges for which policies have to be formulated. The first force which is relevant relates to the increasing need to formulate evidence-based policies. The second force relates to the emergence of common knowledge. The third force refers to fact-free politics. The three forces constitute an arena in which modern policy analysts have to operate. In this chapter I address the nature of these three forces. Furthermore I will show what these three forces imply for the work of the policy analyst. In doing so I will make use of a number of Dutch case studies in which policy analysis had to deal with these three forces.
Abstract
In contemporary Dutch society, the content and outcomes of policy analysis activities are shaped by three forces which play a role when discussing the nature of specific societal challenges for which policies have to be formulated. The first force which is relevant relates to the increasing need to formulate evidence-based policies. The second force relates to the emergence of common knowledge. The third force refers to fact-free politics. The three forces constitute an arena in which modern policy analysts have to operate. In this chapter I address the nature of these three forces. Furthermore I will show what these three forces imply for the work of the policy analyst. In doing so I will make use of a number of Dutch case studies in which policy analysis had to deal with these three forces.
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
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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
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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
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Advisory bodies, consultancy firms, research institutes and think tanks
- Advisory boards and planning bureaus 139
- The Dutch policy research industry 155
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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
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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
