Policy Press
Four Policy analysis and normative theory: with a focus on social security policies
Abstract
This chapter examines why public policies (especially social security policies) in Japan has long been fragmented and inconsistent. There must be many various reasons, but the chapter focuses on the absence of value analysis of public policy. In Japan, most policies have been created as a result of political compromise based on the incremental style of policy-making. Moreover, the objectives and ends of public policy are often ambiguous because most of the provisions of the laws in Japan have been vague and abstract. All of the flaws are thought to be caused, at least partly, by the absence of value analysis of public policy. Luckily or unluckily, rapid economic growth after the WW2 made prioritizing of public policies (and theoretical deliberation needed to prioritize) unnecessary. Additionally most of the scholars in Japan have not been interested in connecting normative theory and public policy. On top of that, many Japanese tend to think ethical problems cannot be solved by rational arguments. Due to the above reasons, public policies in Japan have long been fragmented and inconsistent.
Abstract
This chapter examines why public policies (especially social security policies) in Japan has long been fragmented and inconsistent. There must be many various reasons, but the chapter focuses on the absence of value analysis of public policy. In Japan, most policies have been created as a result of political compromise based on the incremental style of policy-making. Moreover, the objectives and ends of public policy are often ambiguous because most of the provisions of the laws in Japan have been vague and abstract. All of the flaws are thought to be caused, at least partly, by the absence of value analysis of public policy. Luckily or unluckily, rapid economic growth after the WW2 made prioritizing of public policies (and theoretical deliberation needed to prioritize) unnecessary. Additionally most of the scholars in Japan have not been interested in connecting normative theory and public policy. On top of that, many Japanese tend to think ethical problems cannot be solved by rational arguments. Due to the above reasons, public policies in Japan have long been fragmented and inconsistent.
Chapters in this book
- Front Matter i
- Contents v
- List of figures and tables vii
- Notes on contributors ix
- Editors’ introduction to the series xi
- Policy analysis in Japan: the state of the art 1
-
Styles and Methods of Policy Analysis in Japan
- Historical background of policy analysis in Japan 15
- Beyond a formal approach? Seeking adequate policy analysis in Japan 27
- Policy research movements in local governments 41
- Policy analysis and normative theory: with a focus on social security policies 57
- Law and public policy in contemporary Japan 73
-
Policy Analysis in Japanese Governments
- Policy analysis and the policy process in Japanese government 91
- In-house think tanks of ministries: their functions and limitations in policy formulation 103
- A policy analysis of the Japanese Diet from the perspective of ‘Legislative Supporting Agencies’ 123
- Councils, policy analysis and policy evaluation 139
- Local governments and policy analysis in Japan after the Second World War 149
-
Parties, Interest Groups and Advocacy-Based Policy Analysis
- Policy analysis and policymaking by Japanese political parties 165
- Business associations and labour unions 185
- Current state of non-profit organizations and the ‘New Public Commons’ 199
- Think tanks and policy analysis: meeting the challenges of think tanks in Japan 215
- Policy analysis in the mass media 235
-
Future Directions of Policy Analysis in Japan
- Policy education in Japan: a study of professional graduate public policy schools 251
- Job market for public policy programme graduates in Japan 271
- Conclusion: future directions of the theory and practice of public policy analysis in Japan 289
- Index 303
Chapters in this book
- Front Matter i
- Contents v
- List of figures and tables vii
- Notes on contributors ix
- Editors’ introduction to the series xi
- Policy analysis in Japan: the state of the art 1
-
Styles and Methods of Policy Analysis in Japan
- Historical background of policy analysis in Japan 15
- Beyond a formal approach? Seeking adequate policy analysis in Japan 27
- Policy research movements in local governments 41
- Policy analysis and normative theory: with a focus on social security policies 57
- Law and public policy in contemporary Japan 73
-
Policy Analysis in Japanese Governments
- Policy analysis and the policy process in Japanese government 91
- In-house think tanks of ministries: their functions and limitations in policy formulation 103
- A policy analysis of the Japanese Diet from the perspective of ‘Legislative Supporting Agencies’ 123
- Councils, policy analysis and policy evaluation 139
- Local governments and policy analysis in Japan after the Second World War 149
-
Parties, Interest Groups and Advocacy-Based Policy Analysis
- Policy analysis and policymaking by Japanese political parties 165
- Business associations and labour unions 185
- Current state of non-profit organizations and the ‘New Public Commons’ 199
- Think tanks and policy analysis: meeting the challenges of think tanks in Japan 215
- Policy analysis in the mass media 235
-
Future Directions of Policy Analysis in Japan
- Policy education in Japan: a study of professional graduate public policy schools 251
- Job market for public policy programme graduates in Japan 271
- Conclusion: future directions of the theory and practice of public policy analysis in Japan 289
- Index 303
