One The policy-analytical profession in Belgium
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David Aubin
Abstract
In Belgium, policy analysts do not constitute a long established, identifiable corps of professionals. Neither have they attracted much interest as a research subject. Only recently has empirical research started to map who they are and what they do. This chapter presents the demography of policy analysts as professionals. It maps who policy analysts are, how they are trained, what they are called, what job positions they hold, what they are supposed to do, and which networks they entertain. The chapter treats policy analysis as an emerging profession. It will trace the professionalisation of policy analysis in a traditional Weberian sense and examine how analysts acquire authority and credentials, through formal training, degrees, and certification. The empirical material is derived from two sources. The first source is a cross-regional questionnaire on policy analysis in the federal and regional governments. The second source is an analysis of developments of job descriptions of policy advisors recruited by Belgian central recruitment agencies.
Abstract
In Belgium, policy analysts do not constitute a long established, identifiable corps of professionals. Neither have they attracted much interest as a research subject. Only recently has empirical research started to map who they are and what they do. This chapter presents the demography of policy analysts as professionals. It maps who policy analysts are, how they are trained, what they are called, what job positions they hold, what they are supposed to do, and which networks they entertain. The chapter treats policy analysis as an emerging profession. It will trace the professionalisation of policy analysis in a traditional Weberian sense and examine how analysts acquire authority and credentials, through formal training, degrees, and certification. The empirical material is derived from two sources. The first source is a cross-regional questionnaire on policy analysis in the federal and regional governments. The second source is an analysis of developments of job descriptions of policy advisors recruited by Belgian central recruitment agencies.
Kapitel in diesem Buch
- Front Matter i
- Contents v
- List of tables and figures vii
- List of abbreviations ix
- Notes on contributors xiii
- Acknowledgements xx
- Editors’ introduction to the series xxi
- Introduction: policy analysis in Belgium – tradition, comparative features and trends 1
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Policy styles and methods in Belgium
- The policy-analytical profession in Belgium 13
- Analytical techniques in Belgian policy analysis 35
- Political control and bureaucratic expertise: policy analysis by ministerial cabinet members 57
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Policy analysis in the government and legislature
- Policy analysis in the central and regional governments 81
- Local planning in Belgium: A myriad of policy styles? 107
- Policy analysis in the Belgian legislatures: the marginal role of a structurally weak parliament in a partitocracy with no scientific and political tradition of policy analysis 129
- Policy advisory bodies in Belgium 151
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Policy analysis by political parties and interest groups
- Ideas as close as possible to power: Belgian political parties and their study centres 173
- Interest groups and policy analysis in Belgium: examining the policy-analytical capacities and practices of prominent citizen and economic groups 193
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Policy analysis and the public
- Public consultation and participation in Belgium: directly engaging citizens beyond the ballot box? 215
- The role of news media in the policy process in Belgium 235
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Policy analysis by advocates and academics
- Thinking in splendid isolation? The organisation and policy engagement of think tanks in Belgium 257
- Policy analysis by academics 275
- Policy analysis instruction in Belgium 295
- Index 311
Kapitel in diesem Buch
- Front Matter i
- Contents v
- List of tables and figures vii
- List of abbreviations ix
- Notes on contributors xiii
- Acknowledgements xx
- Editors’ introduction to the series xxi
- Introduction: policy analysis in Belgium – tradition, comparative features and trends 1
-
Policy styles and methods in Belgium
- The policy-analytical profession in Belgium 13
- Analytical techniques in Belgian policy analysis 35
- Political control and bureaucratic expertise: policy analysis by ministerial cabinet members 57
-
Policy analysis in the government and legislature
- Policy analysis in the central and regional governments 81
- Local planning in Belgium: A myriad of policy styles? 107
- Policy analysis in the Belgian legislatures: the marginal role of a structurally weak parliament in a partitocracy with no scientific and political tradition of policy analysis 129
- Policy advisory bodies in Belgium 151
-
Policy analysis by political parties and interest groups
- Ideas as close as possible to power: Belgian political parties and their study centres 173
- Interest groups and policy analysis in Belgium: examining the policy-analytical capacities and practices of prominent citizen and economic groups 193
-
Policy analysis and the public
- Public consultation and participation in Belgium: directly engaging citizens beyond the ballot box? 215
- The role of news media in the policy process in Belgium 235
-
Policy analysis by advocates and academics
- Thinking in splendid isolation? The organisation and policy engagement of think tanks in Belgium 257
- Policy analysis by academics 275
- Policy analysis instruction in Belgium 295
- Index 311
