Sixteen Institutionalisation and performance of policy analysis and evaluation in the Netherlands
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Peter Scholten
Abstract
In the last chapter we are taking stock of the developments in the Netherlands since the introduction in central government in the early 70s. Since the efforts to evidence-based policy making has made place for a less ambitious, more realistic view in which the utilization of information provided by policy analyst is largely due to chance. The current situation is reflecting the famous Dutch ‘poldermodel’ in which each actor is supported by its own policy analyst. The consequent battle of analyses in the Dutch network society is not restricted though to the framing of issues. Increasingly, information generated by policy analysts is challenged by commons knowledge or disqualified as irrelevant due to fact free politics. The external validity of the findings of policy analysis is almost nil, making policy learning a far cry. What can be done? What will the future bring?
Abstract
In the last chapter we are taking stock of the developments in the Netherlands since the introduction in central government in the early 70s. Since the efforts to evidence-based policy making has made place for a less ambitious, more realistic view in which the utilization of information provided by policy analyst is largely due to chance. The current situation is reflecting the famous Dutch ‘poldermodel’ in which each actor is supported by its own policy analyst. The consequent battle of analyses in the Dutch network society is not restricted though to the framing of issues. Increasingly, information generated by policy analysts is challenged by commons knowledge or disqualified as irrelevant due to fact free politics. The external validity of the findings of policy analysis is almost nil, making policy learning a far cry. What can be done? What will the future bring?
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
