Nine Interest groups and policy analysis in Belgium: examining the policy-analytical capacities and practices of prominent citizen and economic groups
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Bert Fraussen
Abstract
This chapter analyses the way in which interest groups acquire critical information and how they use this knowledge in their interaction with policymakers. The authors briefly introduce the Belgian system of interest representation, and clarify the (varying) role organized interests play in policymaking. Next, the “policy capacities” of a diverse set of prominent Belgian interest groups are analyzed. Here, the authors address how these groups organize to produce policy advice, and which actors supply them with critical information. The authors furthermore clarify their political activities, as well as discuss how these groups evaluate their policy work.
Abstract
This chapter analyses the way in which interest groups acquire critical information and how they use this knowledge in their interaction with policymakers. The authors briefly introduce the Belgian system of interest representation, and clarify the (varying) role organized interests play in policymaking. Next, the “policy capacities” of a diverse set of prominent Belgian interest groups are analyzed. Here, the authors address how these groups organize to produce policy advice, and which actors supply them with critical information. The authors furthermore clarify their political activities, as well as discuss how these groups evaluate their policy work.
Chapters in this book
- 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
Chapters in this book
- 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