TWO Historical forerunners in Spanish policy analysis
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Albert Carreras
Abstract
This chapter focuses on the development of policy analysis tools, mostly policy evaluation and assessment. Spain has a fairly long tradition – albeit not a continuous one – of policy evaluation, starting in the late 18th century, but it has undergone important institutional shifts and setbacks, which reflect major political conflicts. Up until the mid-19th century the major contributions to designing and implementing policies came from outstanding individuals. This was followed by an era of parliamentary commissions that provided a political space to advocate for conflicting interests, a model that later became institutionalised. During World War I a new formula for evaluating and designing policies emerged: the research bureau. Under the Franco dictatorship, the development of policy evaluation suffered a major setback. There was no interest in promoting institutions to assess public policy. Given the very nature of the Franco regime, these institutions only emerged when they were promoted by business leaders and lobbies. As relations with Western countries improved and technocrats became more important in Franco’s government, more policy evaluation was developed and a new university-trained elite took care of it. They became very influential after Franco’s death.
Abstract
This chapter focuses on the development of policy analysis tools, mostly policy evaluation and assessment. Spain has a fairly long tradition – albeit not a continuous one – of policy evaluation, starting in the late 18th century, but it has undergone important institutional shifts and setbacks, which reflect major political conflicts. Up until the mid-19th century the major contributions to designing and implementing policies came from outstanding individuals. This was followed by an era of parliamentary commissions that provided a political space to advocate for conflicting interests, a model that later became institutionalised. During World War I a new formula for evaluating and designing policies emerged: the research bureau. Under the Franco dictatorship, the development of policy evaluation suffered a major setback. There was no interest in promoting institutions to assess public policy. Given the very nature of the Franco regime, these institutions only emerged when they were promoted by business leaders and lobbies. As relations with Western countries improved and technocrats became more important in Franco’s government, more policy evaluation was developed and a new university-trained elite took care of it. They became very influential after Franco’s death.
Chapters in this book
- Front Matter i
- Contents v
- List of figures and tables vii
- Notes on contributors ix
- Editors’ introduction to the series xvi
- Foreword xviii
- Policy analysis in Spain: actors and institutions 1
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Examining the policy analysis context
- Historical forerunners in Spanish policy analysis 21
- Policy analysis and policy evaluation as a profession 46
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Policy analysis by governments
- Policy analysis in central government: still in its infancy 67
- Policy analysis and regional governments 83
- Policy analysis in local government: objects, perspectives, and actors 102
- Domestic policy analysis by international actors 124
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Policy analysis beyond executive in the public sphere
- Parliamentary committees as policy analysis institutions 141
- Policy analysis and public opinion 165
- Participatory institutions and advisory councils 186
- Policy analysis at universities and research centres 203
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Policy analysis by parties, interest groups, and other actors
- Political parties and policy analysis 225
- Trade unions, policy analysis, and the policy process 246
- Business associations and policy analysis 265
- NGOs as policy analysis partners: from invisibility to expansion 283
- Think tanks and policy analysis 303
- Index 327
Chapters in this book
- Front Matter i
- Contents v
- List of figures and tables vii
- Notes on contributors ix
- Editors’ introduction to the series xvi
- Foreword xviii
- Policy analysis in Spain: actors and institutions 1
-
Examining the policy analysis context
- Historical forerunners in Spanish policy analysis 21
- Policy analysis and policy evaluation as a profession 46
-
Policy analysis by governments
- Policy analysis in central government: still in its infancy 67
- Policy analysis and regional governments 83
- Policy analysis in local government: objects, perspectives, and actors 102
- Domestic policy analysis by international actors 124
-
Policy analysis beyond executive in the public sphere
- Parliamentary committees as policy analysis institutions 141
- Policy analysis and public opinion 165
- Participatory institutions and advisory councils 186
- Policy analysis at universities and research centres 203
-
Policy analysis by parties, interest groups, and other actors
- Political parties and policy analysis 225
- Trade unions, policy analysis, and the policy process 246
- Business associations and policy analysis 265
- NGOs as policy analysis partners: from invisibility to expansion 283
- Think tanks and policy analysis 303
- Index 327
