Eight Beyond weakness: policy analysis in the French parliament
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Olivier Rozenberg
Abstract
The French Parliament is well-known for its weakness under the Fifth Republic. The constitutional domination of the executive power is not only marked in terms of legislative procedure but also bears consequence in terms of the capacity of the two houses to mobilize policy analysis. Committees are limited both in number and competence. The capacity to hold the government and the administration accountable is also strictly bounded. Furthermore, the bureaucracies of both houses are comparatively weak and are unable to support a systematic and general investment of MPs in policy initiatives. This chapter offers a balanced assessment of the contemporary capacity of the French Parliament to use and produce policy analysis. It points to the limited effect of the constitutional reforms implemented recently as well as the lack of human resources that can be mobilized within assemblies. Yet, it also considers the greater policy analysis capacity of the parliament in some policy fields as well as the recent efforts developed in view of fostering parliamentary evaluation.
Abstract
The French Parliament is well-known for its weakness under the Fifth Republic. The constitutional domination of the executive power is not only marked in terms of legislative procedure but also bears consequence in terms of the capacity of the two houses to mobilize policy analysis. Committees are limited both in number and competence. The capacity to hold the government and the administration accountable is also strictly bounded. Furthermore, the bureaucracies of both houses are comparatively weak and are unable to support a systematic and general investment of MPs in policy initiatives. This chapter offers a balanced assessment of the contemporary capacity of the French Parliament to use and produce policy analysis. It points to the limited effect of the constitutional reforms implemented recently as well as the lack of human resources that can be mobilized within assemblies. Yet, it also considers the greater policy analysis capacity of the parliament in some policy fields as well as the recent efforts developed in view of fostering parliamentary evaluation.
Kapitel in diesem Buch
- Front Matter i
- Contents v
- Notes on contributors vii
- Editors’ introduction to the series xiii
- Policy analysis in France: introduction 1
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The styles and methods of public policy analysis
- On the path to public policy analysis: an ‘administrative science’ between reform and academy 31
- The emergence of modern policy analysis in France 47
- Recent developments within French policy studies 63
- Methods of French policy studies 79
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Policy analysis by governments
- Civil servants and policy analysis in central government 101
- Policy analysis in French local government 119
- Beyond weakness: policy analysis in the French parliament 137
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Committees, public inquiries, and consultants
- Public inquiries, committees 157
- Management consultants as policy actors 175
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Parties, interest groups, research institutes and think tanks
- The field of state expertise 191
- Political parties and think tanks: policy analysis oriented toward office-seeking 209
- Economic interest groups and policy analysis in France 225
- NGOs, civil society and policy analysis: from mutual disinterest to reciprocal investment 243
- Trade union expertise in public policy 261
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Academic policy analysis
- Economics and policy analysis: ‘from state to market’? 279
- The academic world of French policy studies: training, teaching and researching 295
- Public policy analysis in France: from public action to political power 313
- Index 333
Kapitel in diesem Buch
- Front Matter i
- Contents v
- Notes on contributors vii
- Editors’ introduction to the series xiii
- Policy analysis in France: introduction 1
-
The styles and methods of public policy analysis
- On the path to public policy analysis: an ‘administrative science’ between reform and academy 31
- The emergence of modern policy analysis in France 47
- Recent developments within French policy studies 63
- Methods of French policy studies 79
-
Policy analysis by governments
- Civil servants and policy analysis in central government 101
- Policy analysis in French local government 119
- Beyond weakness: policy analysis in the French parliament 137
-
Committees, public inquiries, and consultants
- Public inquiries, committees 157
- Management consultants as policy actors 175
-
Parties, interest groups, research institutes and think tanks
- The field of state expertise 191
- Political parties and think tanks: policy analysis oriented toward office-seeking 209
- Economic interest groups and policy analysis in France 225
- NGOs, civil society and policy analysis: from mutual disinterest to reciprocal investment 243
- Trade union expertise in public policy 261
-
Academic policy analysis
- Economics and policy analysis: ‘from state to market’? 279
- The academic world of French policy studies: training, teaching and researching 295
- Public policy analysis in France: from public action to political power 313
- Index 333
