FIFTEEN NGOs as policy analysis partners: from invisibility to expansion
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Luz Muñoz Márquez
Abstract
In Western countries NGOs have had little involvement in the formulation of public policies, and their intervention has been more consultative in nature. This has been the case especially in Spain. During the last three decades Spanish NGOs have been included as policy advisors in government and parliamentary venues, increasing the possibility to translate their policy expertise and knowledge. In this chapter, we explain the evolution of this trend and present evidence of their role as policy analysis partners in Spanish politics. We show that notwithstanding their consolidation in general terms, few have access to funds or economic resources, either private or public, and lack the capacity to develop policy analysis. A small group of NGOs concentrate on economic resources and therefore have a greater capacity to recruit staff dedicated to policy analysis. In essence, this club of rich and big NGOs allocates continuous and daily resources to develop information for public policy analysis. The vast majority, however, of small NGOs does not have specialised internal advocacy or reporting units for policy analysis purposes.
Abstract
In Western countries NGOs have had little involvement in the formulation of public policies, and their intervention has been more consultative in nature. This has been the case especially in Spain. During the last three decades Spanish NGOs have been included as policy advisors in government and parliamentary venues, increasing the possibility to translate their policy expertise and knowledge. In this chapter, we explain the evolution of this trend and present evidence of their role as policy analysis partners in Spanish politics. We show that notwithstanding their consolidation in general terms, few have access to funds or economic resources, either private or public, and lack the capacity to develop policy analysis. A small group of NGOs concentrate on economic resources and therefore have a greater capacity to recruit staff dedicated to policy analysis. In essence, this club of rich and big NGOs allocates continuous and daily resources to develop information for public policy analysis. The vast majority, however, of small NGOs does not have specialised internal advocacy or reporting units for policy analysis purposes.
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
