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Perspectives on Policy Analysis: A Framework for Understanding and Design

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Policy analysis is a broad and versatile field of applied policy research and advice, where a multitude of perspectives and methods have developed. In this paper, we attempt to (re)structure the discipline in a single conceptual model. The model was derived on the basis of a review of relevant literature on policy analysis styles and a review of about 20 exemplary cases in the field of technology, policy and management. The model serves three purposes: understanding of policy analysis as a discipline, contribution to the design of new policy analysis methods and projects, and guidance for evaluating such methods and projects. The model identifies six activities and translates these into six underlying policy analytic styles. Each style implies different values, and calls for different criteria when it comes to evaluation. An important claim of the model is that, in practice, policy analysis consists of creatively combining these activities and styles.
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Int. J. Technology Policy and Management, Vol. x, No. x, xxxx 1
Copyright © 200x Inderscience Enterprises Ltd.
Perspectives on policy analyses: a framework for
understanding and design
Igor S. Mayer,* C. Els van Daalen and
Pieter W.G. Bots
Technology Policy and Management,
Delft University of Technology,
PO Box 5015, 2600 GA Delft, The Netherlands
Fax: +31 152786439 E-mail: i.s.mayer@tbm.tudelft.nl
*Corresponding author
Abstract: Policy analysis is a broad and versatile field of applied policy
research and advice, where a multitude of perspectives and methods have
developed. In this paper, we attempt to (re)structure the discipline in a single
conceptual model. The model was derived on the basis of a review of relevant
literature on policy analysis styles and a review of about 20 exemplary cases in
the field of technology, policy and management. The model serves three
purposes: understanding of policy analysis as a discipline, contribution to the
design of new policy analysis methods and projects, and guidance for
evaluating such methods and projects. The model identifies six activities and
translates these into six underlying policy analytic styles. Each style implies
different values, and calls for different criteria when it comes to evaluation.
An important claim of the model is that, in practice, policy analysis consists of
creatively combining these activities and styles.
Keywords: applied research; policy analysis; policy design; policy evaluation;
policy research; methodology.
Reference to this paper should be made as follows: Mayer, I.S.,
Els van Daalen, C. and Bots, P.W.G. (xxxx) ‘Perspectives on policy analyses:
a framework for understanding and design’, Int. J. Technology Policy and
Management, Vol. x, No. x, pp.xxx–xxx.
Biographical notes: Dr Igor Mayer is an Assistant Professor at the Faculty of
Technology, Policy and Management at Delft University of Technology in
The Netherlands. His area of specialisation includes the development and
application of (interactive and participatory) methods for policy analysis and
(group) decision support, in particular gaming-simulation.
Dr Els van Daalen is an Assistant Professor at the Faculty of Technology,
Policy and Management at Delft University of Technology. Her research
interests include systems modelling and the use of models in policy making.
Dr Pieter Bots is an Associate Professor and an Associate Dean of Education at
the Faculty of Technology, Policy and Management at Delft University of
Technology. His research focuses on the development of methods and tools for
analysis and design of multi-actor systems.
2 I.S. Mayer, C. Els van Daalen and P.W.G. Bots
1 Introduction
Policy analysis is a multi-faceted field in which a variety of different activities and
ambitions have found a place. Some policy analysts conduct quantitative or qualitative
research while others reconstruct and analyse political discourse or set up citizen fora.
Some policy analysts are independent researchers; some are process-facilitators, while
others act as political advisers [1–3]. The debate on the discipline – for example, on its
foundations, underlying values and methods – is conducted in a fragmented way [4–20].
This is a pity, because it tends to sideline a reflection on the relationship between applied
research, the use and development of methods in relation to policy advice and policy
processes.
The variety and multi-faceted nature of policy analysis makes it clear that there is no
single, let alone ‘one best’, way of conducting policy analyses. The discipline consists of
many different schools, approaches, roles and methods. The observed diversity of policy
analysis does give rise to numerous questions. If we are unable to construct cohesion and
unity behind this great diversity, we cannot speak of a discipline. What relationship exists
between the different schools and activities in policy analysis? Do they exclude each
other or are there – in practice – numerous hybrids and combinations? What conceptual
framework do we have at our disposal if we need to demarcate the discipline, design new
methods and approaches, or evaluate projects? Can we enrich the methodological toolbox
by adding new methods? What is the relationship between policy analysis methods and
new insights from the policy sciences, such as interactive policy development and
process management [21,22]? These are important questions that we obviously cannot
answer in full and all at once, but for which we modestly hope to provide a framework.
2 Untangling and explaining
The great diversity of views, schools and methods easily causes confusion and gives rise
to the need for insight into the discipline for insiders and outsiders alike [16,20]. Various
attempts have been made to untangle and explain policy analysis as a methodical
discipline. Some well-known examples of models in which activities and methods are
systematically related can be found in Dunn [4], Brewer and DeLeon [5], Hogwood and
Gunn [6], Bobrow and Dryzek [23], Miser and Quade [24] Patton and Sawicki [25],
Weimer and Vining [13] and Mayer [17].
It is precisely because of the varied developments in policy analysis and the diffuse
image that they create of the field, that this paper seeks to make the field transparent and
to structure it with the help of a framework or conceptual model. Structuring will not take
place by choosing a specific author, perspective or school, but rather by displaying the
variety of views of policy analysis. It is not our intention to adopt a normative standpoint
on what the most preferable form or style of policy analysis should be. This paper
provides a framework for positioning the different perspectives and for highlighting the
implications of choosing a perspective when designing or evaluating a policy analysis
project.
The presented conceptual model therefore has three functions. First, structuring the
field into activities and styles provides a greater insight into and overview of the diversity
of policy analysis. The model is a means to demarcate and understand the field as a
Perspectives on policy analyses: a framework for understanding 3
whole. Second, when designing a particular policy analysis project, the analysts will
select methods and tools they consider to be appropriate. The model can support choosing
existing methods and designing new methods. Third, we believe that the quality of a
policy analysis project can be judged from different perspectives. The model helps to
formulate the values pertaining to a perspective, values from which criteria for the
evaluation of a policy analysis project can be derived.
3 Research approach
3.1 Deductive approach
In our attempt to (re)structure the different styles and construct a conceptual model,
we reviewed the authoritative literature on the development of policy analysis and policy
analysis styles. This review led to an important observation. All characterisations of
policy analysis are inclusive of a limited number of preferred styles but are also exclusive
of other styles, either because these are not considered at all or because they are criticised
as not being (effective) policy analysis (e.g. [26]). From the present literature, a
preliminary classification of policy analysis activities, roles and values was constructed.
3.2 Inductive approach
In order to construct some cohesion and unity behind this great diversity we decided not
to limit ourselves to the rather abstract characterisations of policy analysis presented in
the literature, but to first take a closer look at what general activities policy analysts
perform in the policy process. We developed a set of generic policy analytic questions
and selected a number of exemplary, accessible and contrasting cases of policy
analysis conducted by some of the most authoritative policy analysis institutions in
The Netherlands: RAND Europe, Delft Hydraulics, RIZA (Institute for Inland Water
Management and Waste water Treatment), AVV (Transport Research Center) and others.
The case selection was based on the following criteria:
Policy analysis. All cases were externally initiated (by clients) for actual policy and
decision support.
Focus. All cases were related to technological or infrastructure decision and
policymaking.
Variety. The cases represented a wide variety of activities and approaches.
Accessibility. Background, approaches and results of the cases are reported in
generally accessible (scientific) publications or project reports. If needed, policy
analysts involved in the projects were consulted. In all cases, TPM faculty members
had direct or indirect access to detailed information about the policy analysis
process.
Table 1 presents an overview of cases that we reviewed. For reasons of space, we cannot
discuss all cases at length. Below, we will therefore discuss six archetypical cases as
illustrations of our conceptual model.
4 I.S. Mayer, C. Els van Daalen and P.W.G. Bots
Table 1 Reviewed policy analysis studies
Name project Main references
Water management
POLANO study (Policy Analysis of the Oosterschelde) Goeller [27]
PAWN (Policy Analysis of Water Management) Goeller [28]
Dutch river dike studies Walker et al. [29], Twaalfhoven [30]
and van de Riet [31]
IVR study (Landscape planning for the river Rhine) Twaalfhoven [30]
Transport/road, sea
Sea sluice study van de Riet [31]
FORWARD (Freight Options for Road, Water and Rail
for the Dutch)
Twaalfhoven [30] and EAC [32]
TNLI (Civil Aviation Infrastructure Options) RAND Europe [33] and
van Eeten [34]
SVV coloured in Twaalfhoven [30]
CAU study (Corridor Amsterdam-Utrecht) Twaalfhoven [30]
Process advice student public transport De Bruijn et al. [6]
POLSSS (Policy for Sea Shipping Safety) Walker et al. [35] and
Pöyhönen et al. [36]
Environment
IMAGE Alcamo [37], Rotmans [38] and
Daalen et al. [39]
Sustainable Urban Living (EASW) Mayer [17] and Joss and
Belluci [40]
Titanium Dioxide study Rijkswaterstaat [41]
Genetic and medical technology
Consensus conferences on genetic modification of
plants, animals, screening, cloning etc.
Joss and Belluci [40] and
Mayer [17]
DMARD therapy study Beusekom et al. [42]
Science and technology policy
OCV foresight studies Tijink [43]
Technology Radar Walker et al. [44]
Spatial planning and construction
COB N410 (Integrated Assessment Underground
Constructions)
Enserink et al. [45] and
Edelenbos et al. [46]
Maasvlakte 2 RAND Europe [47]
Dynamic de Bilt/Living in Wijnbergen Edelenbos [48]
In a secondary analysis, we restructured the above cases for: (1) activities that were
performed; (2) the underlying values that seemed manifest; (3) the role of the policy
analyst. By and large, we were able to reduce the generic set of policy analysis activities
derived from the literature and the cases, to six dominant policy analytic activities. With
this set of activities we returned to the general characterisations of policy analysis schools
Perspectives on policy analyses: a framework for understanding 5
and models and asked what activities were prevalent in these models. We reformulated
these models and paradigms in more general and neutral terms.
In the sections below, we will create the conceptual model step by step. The activities
and styles are portrayed in an archetypical way, i.e. the way they are presented in the
literature by proponents of the style.
4 A set of interacting activities
Our strategy in developing the model has been to first address the question: “What
general activities do policy analysts perform when it comes to supporting policy and
policy processes?” From the cases (see Boxes 1–6 for a selection of examples) we have
identified six major clusters of activities. They are:
research and analyse
design and recommend
clarify arguments and values
provide strategic advice
democratise
mediate.
In real-life cases and projects, a policy analyst will combine one or more activities, albeit
not all at the same time. When more activities are combined, a policy analysis project
will become richer and more comprehensive, but also more complex.
The hexagon in Figure 1 is a diagrammatic representation of these six activities.
The theoretical foundation will be discussed later in this paper, when we show the policy
analysis styles and values on which the clustering of activities has been based. In this
section, we focus on the six activities and illustrate these with the help of examples based
on policy analyses. At the end of this section, we will look at the relations between the
various activities in more detail.
Figure 1 Overview of activities that make up policy analysis
6 I.S. Mayer, C. Els van Daalen and P.W.G. Bots
4.1 Research and analyse
Has the number of cases of driving under the influence of alcohol increased compared to
previous years? Has privatisation of public utilities and services led to lower prices for
consumers? Is our climate really changing? And if so, how is it likely to affect
coastal regions?
Questions like these, that are relevant to policy, are about facts, causes and effects,
and therefore call for scientific research. In some respects and manifestations, policy
analysis is indeed a form of applied research (cf. [4]) that uses research methods and
techniques that are scientific or derived from science, such as surveys, interviews,
statistical analysis but also simulation and extrapolation. This cluster of activities matches
with a perspective on policy analysis as knowledge generation. Knowledge institutions
such as statistical agencies, semi-scientific research institutions and research agencies
gather and analyse, on request and at their own initiative, knowledge and information for
policy purposes. It is possible that the political agenda influences their research priorities,
but the results of their autonomous research activities may also influence the
political agenda. Translation of the results of their research into a policy design or
recommendation is not a primary part of their task or mission. It is up to the political
system to identify consequences and draw conclusions from the best available
knowledge. Box 1 contains an example of a policy analysis project where the research
and analyse cluster was of particular importance.
Box 1 Research and analyse: the IMAGE 1.0 model
The IMAGE project (Integrated Model to Assess the Greenhouse Effect) is an example of
research and analysis in the field of climate change. The example dates back to the
situation prevailing in the mid-1980s, when climate change was not yet a major political
issue in The Netherlands. After developing a successful prototype, the Dutch National
Institute of Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) started developing the IMAGE
1.0 model in 1986 [38]. IMAGE 1.0 used simplified models of the carbon cycle and of
atmospheric processes to calculate future atmospheric greenhouse gas concentrations and
the accompanying changes in temperature and sea level for a number of different
scenarios of future emissions of greenhouse gases. IMAGE 1.0 was the first model in
which an attempt was made to integrate the climate system all the way from emissions to
effects. The output of IMAGE 1.0 attracted public and political attention because the
model’s results were incorporated in the first Dutch National Environmental Outlook
in 1988. The results in themselves were not new, but the integrated picture of impacts
of different emission scenarios helped to put the climate issue high on the
political agenda [39].
4.2 Design and recommend
What can the government do to improve the accessibility of large cities? What measures
can municipalities take to improve local safety? How can the container storage capacity
in harbour areas best be increased – by improving utilisation of existing capacity or by
creating more capacity?
Perspectives on policy analyses: a framework for understanding 7
These policy questions are mainly design and solution oriented. When sufficient data
and information have been gathered in earlier research, a policy analysis will focus on
translating the available knowledge into new policy, either by making recommendations
or by making a complete policy design. Recommendations will typically be the result of
comparing the effects of different policy alternatives and weighing the options based on
various criteria. Policy analysts in this way are supportive to the policy process by
translating available knowledge into new policy either by advising or by making (partial)
policy designs in terms of ‘actions–means–ends’. A complete policy design typically
involves generating a set of alternative strategies that each consists of several tactics
aimed at achieving particular objectives or sub-goals (see [49]).
Box 2 contains an example of a project where the prime consideration was the
assessment of alternatives.
Box 2 Design and recommend: the FORWARD study
The following project in the field of freight transport is an example in which a policy
analysis was aimed at design and recommendation. At the end of the 1980s, the Dutch
Government was faced with the goals of sustainability as well as economic growth in the
transport sector, and decided that action needed to be taken. The proposed policy was
published in a policy document in 1990. This document, however, did not include many
policy statements on freight transport, and various parties argued that there could be more
attractive alternatives to a number of the policy options that had been suggested [30].
As a result, a broad study was commissioned. This analysis of Freight Options for Road,
Water And Rail for the Dutch (FORWARD) was carried out by RAND Europe and it
examined the benefits and costs of a broad range of policy options for mitigating the
negative effects of the expected growth in road transport while retaining the economic
benefits [32]. The study involved the development of a comprehensive policy analysis
model and the identification of some 200 tactics that might be combined into various
strategies for improving freight transport. The model enabled the design and assessment
of policy options for several economic scenarios extending to the year 2015.
4.3 Clarify values and arguments
Why, or more accurately about what, is there a clash of opinions between supporters and
opponents of river dike enforcement or the expansion of a National Airport? What values
and arguments come to the fore as regards approving or rejecting developments in the
field of modern genetic technology, as in the case of pre-natal diagnosis and cloning?
There will always be implicit normative and ethical questions and opinions behind
public policy. Prolonged conflicts and social issues that turn into stalemates often come
about through fundamental normative and argumentative differences [14,34]. Abortion,
euthanasia, and drilling for natural gas in protected areas are examples of such issues.
Policy analysis may not only make instrumental recommendations for policy-making;
it may also analyse the values and argumentation systems that underpin social and
political debate. Moreover, policy analysis seeks to improve the quality of debate by
identifying the one-sided or limited nature of arguments or showing where blind spots
exist in the debate [14,18]. Box 3 contains an example of the clarification of the
arguments of different stakeholders.
8 I.S. Mayer, C. Els van Daalen and P.W.G. Bots
Box 3 Clarify values and arguments: civil aviation infrastructure
An example of a project in which argumentation analysis was used, is a policy analysis
commissioned in 1997 by the Future Dutch Aviation Infrastructure project (TNLI).
Representatives of the Ministry of Housing, Spatial Planning & Environment, the
Ministry of Transport, Public Works & Water Management and the Ministry of
Economic Affairs joined forces in a project group to prepare policy on this subject.
The aim of the policy analysis was to put forward recommendations for the design of, and
agenda-setting for, a broadly-based public debate. A discourse analysis formed part of
this policy analysis [34].
The debate on the future of Amsterdam Airport Schiphol regularly boils down to a
dichotomy: either for or against expansion. However, this dichotomy contrasts with the
wealth of ideas that come to the surface in the real debate. In the analysis, the
Q-methodology was used to reconstruct and understand the underlying lines of
argumentation. A study conducted among 38 representatives of the actors involved
revealed the existence of five important views that fell outside the confines of the simple
for-or-against setting. An example is “search for sustainable solutions for a growing
demand for mobility”. By ignoring these views of the problem, options and arguments
that could lift the debate out of the growth/no-growth dichotomy are left unutilised.
The recommendations that resulted from this discourse analysis were used in the design
of the public debate, in which discussion platforms were set up based on the five policy
arguments.
4.4 Advise strategically
What should a government minister do to bring about acceptance of road pricing plans?
What strategy can a government minister adopt to allocate radio frequencies?
These questions illustrate that policy analysis will often be a strategic, client oriented
activity. The substantive or procedural advice will be made dependent on the analysis of
the field of forces that exist, i.e. the environment in which the client and his problem are
located. The policy analyst will advise the client on the most effective strategy for
achieving certain goals given a certain political constellation, i.e. the nature of the
environment in which the client operates, the likely counter-steps of opponents,
and so on.
Box 4 contains an example of a policy analysis project that emphasised the ‘advise
strategically’ cluster.
Perspectives on policy analyses: a framework for understanding 9
Box 4 Advise strategically: waste discharge policy
A policy analysis in which strategic advice was given to the Dutch Ministry of Transport,
Public Works & Water Management addressed the problem of discharges of waste
substances into the sea by the titanium dioxide industry [41]. Titanium dioxide is
produced for the paint industry. Its production releases waste substances that were still
being discharged into the North Sea at the time the study was conducted in the 1980s.
Some companies had exemptions for the discharge of environmentally harmful waste
substances. As the expiry date of the exemptions approached, the Dutch government had
to determine its position on the future strategy for discharges. Circumstances the
government had to consider included the possible reactions of producers – they could
have decided to continue the discharges elsewhere – and developments in the sector, such
as European Union regulations. The Directorate-General’s policy analysts used a
decision-event tree to analyse how producers might respond to decisions concerning the
final dates for discharges. The analysts made allowance for uncertainties regarding the
availability of alternative production technologies, and the time of development of
European legislation in this field. The Dutch government adopted their strategic advice.
4.5 Democratise
How can citizens receive more and better information about how to have their say in
decisions regarding important social issues like genetic technology or a new metro line?
How can citizens make an informed choice when it comes to a tricky and difficult
question like the reconstruction of a railway station area?
In the democratise cluster of activities, policy analysis does not have a value-free
orientation, but a normative and ethical objective: it should further equal access to, and
influence on, the policy process for all stakeholders [9,50,51]. Experts and elites are more
likely to be involved and carry greater weight than ordinary citizens and laymen [52].
Policy analysis can try to correct this inequality by calling attention to views and opinions
typically overlooked in policymaking and decision-making [53]. Box 5 gives an example
taken from the field of technology assessment [17].
Box 5 Democratise: genetic modification
An example of a democratisation project is the first Dutch consensus conference that was
organised in 1993 by the Dutch parliamentary technology assessment organisation to
address the issue of the genetic manipulation of animals. In this public debate, citizens
discussed the subject with all kinds of experts, such as researchers, representatives of
environmental groups, industry and ministries. The panel consisting of sixteen laymen
was selected from people who responded to a newspaper advertisement, and the
organisers prepared the panel for the debate in two weekends. The preparations resulted,
among other things, in a list of questions for the experts. The actual debate took place
during a weekend in which ideas, problems, risks and choices were discussed. At the end
of the second day, the participants wrote a final declaration that was published and also
presented to Parliament. Today, the participation of laymen plays a more prominent role
in technology assessment. The consensus conference format, originally a Danish method
for public participation, has been adopted in many countries [17,40].
10 I.S. Mayer, C. Els van Daalen and P.W.G. Bots
4.6 Mediate
How can industry and government agree on the moderation of their dispute about the
possible harm caused by zinc emissions to the environment and health? How can they
deal with conflicting findings of scientific research on this matter? What is a good
process for exploring the future of a municipality with all stakeholders such as citizens,
businesses and so on?
These questions show that resolving policy issues may require mediation. Policy
analysts can play a role as process designer or process supervisor. In this role, the policy
analyst designs the rules and procedures for negotiating in a policymaking or
decision-making process and manages the interaction and progress of that process.
The mediation cluster comprises different types of activities, with a focus on
analysing contextual factors (stakeholders, issues, dependencies, tensions, tradeoffs), and
designing, and possibly also facilitating, meetings in which different stakeholders and
decision-makers consult and negotiate. The policy analyst mediates during the design of
the negotiation process as well as its execution. Box 6 contains an example of a policy
analysis that emphasises mediation activities.
Box 6 Mediate: public transport passes for students
A recent example regarding mediation is a project in which the Dutch Ministry of
Education, Culture & Science, the Dutch Railways and the association of regional
transport companies jointly commissioned consultants to design a process to break a
stalemate regarding the travel behaviour of students holding a state-funded public
transport pass. The results of a first, substantive policy analysis prompted the Ministry to
call for a second opinion. The public transport companies disagreed with the results of
the second opinion. However, all parties recognised that the negotiation results would be
more readily accepted when based on solid research that both parties believed answered
the right questions. The analysts were asked to mediate between the parties on a protocol
to reach agreement on data. The protocol they developed included a timetable of the
actions required from each party, and specified how to proceed if the parties agreed or
disagreed on the results of those actions [22].
4.7 Relations between the activity clusters
Depending on the specific policy analysis design, one or more of the activity clusters may
become dominant, while other activities may play a subordinate role in certain
(phases of) projects, or be irrelevant. In Figure 1, we have arranged them in such a way
that activities we consider to be most akin are shown alongside each other. For example,
design and recommend activities are a logical extension of research and analyse
activities, and clarify values and arguments activities can feed into democratisation and
mediation activities.
The further away activities are from each other, the greater the field of tension for
uniting the activities will be. A scientific research activity can easily conflict with the
pragmatic and involving nature of mediation between actors. But if we identify opposing
activities as fields of tension, we certainly do not mean that these activities are
incompatible. The tension will have to be resolved in the specific policy analysis design.
It will be necessary to make an ‘arrangement’ whereby – for example – the analysis of
arguments and underlying values can support the mediation and dialogue between
Perspectives on policy analyses: a framework for understanding 11
conflicting standpoints; or whereby the design of the analyst is produced through open
and equal dialogue with citizens, laymen and stakeholders. It is precisely the bridging of
these tensions that generates innovation in projects and methods.
Combinations of two adjacent clusters of activities can be traced to specific styles of
policy analysis. We will look at this matter of styles of policy analysis in the next section.
5 Policy analysis styles
It is the objective of our model to clarify and understand the discipline of policy analysis.
Numerous schools of thought, paradigms and models can be found in the policy analysis
literature [9,11,12,17,23]. In this paper, we will refer to styles of policy analysis rather
than to a paradigm, model or school. Based on the schools discussed in the literature and
the framework of our model, we have identified six policy analysis styles. They are:
a rational style
an argumentative style
a client advice style
a participatory style
a process style
an interactive style.
Figure 2 shows how these styles relate to the activities discussed above. Below, we will
briefly discuss the styles in an archetypical manner. We will focus on the arguments that
are used by proponents of these styles.
Figure 2 Policy analysis styles linked to activities
12 I.S. Mayer, C. Els van Daalen and P.W.G. Bots
5.1 The rational style
The rational style is shaped to a large degree by assumptions about knowledge and
reality, and by a relatively large distance between the object and subject of study: it is
assumed that the world is to a large extent empirically knowable and often measurable.
Knowledge used for policy must be capable of withstanding scientific scrutiny. The role
of knowledge in policy is a positive one, i.e. a greater insight into causes, effects, nature,
and scale produces better policy [54]. Policy should come about – preferably – in neat
phases, from preparation to execution, with support through research in each phase.
An example of this policy analysis approach is the systems analysis method
developed by the RAND Corporation [24,55]. The advice on policy regarding the Eastern
Scheldt storm surge barrier in The Netherlands was obtained using this method [27]. This
style is discussed in many general textbooks on methods of policy analysis [10,12,25].
5.2 Argumentative style
This style assumes that policy is made, defended, and criticised through the medium of
language. The basic assumption of the argumentative style is therefore that when
analysing policy, it is important to devote attention to aspects related to the language
game that takes place around a policy problem or issue. Attention will shift to the debate
and the place in the debate of arguments, rhetoric, symbolism and stories [14,34,56].
Arguments aim to have an effect on the public. The positions of parties and the
argumentations in a policy discourse are not always clear and unambiguous, however.
Therefore, policy analysis will make policy easier to understand by illustrating the
argumentations and the quality thereof schematically and making a judgment based on
criteria such as justification, logic and richness [4,57]. But the ambition of argumentative
policy analysis is to use such an analysis to produce recommendations and improvements
in situations where parties have been talking at cross-purposes for many years: a dialogue
between the deaf [34]. The argumentative style assumes that it can make the structure and
progress of the discourse transparent by means of interpretive and qualitative methods
and techniques, and can also bring about improvements by identifying caveats in the
debate or searching for arguments and standpoints that can bridge the gap between
opponents. This style of policy analysis centres on discourse and argumentation analyses
so as to frame the different standpoints of clusters of parties and, if possible, change and
influence them.
5.3 Client advice style
In a number of respects, the client advice style is based on assumptions that policymaking
occurs in a complex and rather chaotic arena. There are numerous players, with different
interests and strategies [22,58]. Therefore, it is wise to gain insight in the various
objectives, means and interests of the actors involved. For that reason, the analysis of this
complex environment is important and can be undertaken analytically and systematically
by such means as stakeholder analyses, although intuition and soft information definitely
play a role. Besides knowledge and insights gained through research, policy analysis
is largely a question of politico-strategic insight and skills including client-analyst
communication. In addition to being a skill, methodical and explicit, policy analysis is
also an art in which tacit knowledge plays an important role [8]. Depending on
Perspectives on policy analyses: a framework for understanding 13
orientation, the client advice style involves a more design-oriented approach or a
strategic, process driven approach.
5.4 Participatory style
Participatory policy analysis views the relationship between research and advice on the
one hand and policy and politics on the other by looking at society critically [52,53].
Here it is assumed that not all sections of the population have ready access to policy
systems. Researchers, economic elites, institutionalised non-governmental organisations
and politicians dominate policy discussions and decisions about major social issues [59].
Researchers, stakeholders and policymakers will even change roles and positions within
one and the same system. Certain subjects and also certain groups of actors are often
excluded from the social debate. This is referred to as the technocratic criticism of policy
analysis [52]. Participatory policy analysis assumes that citizens can have a voice and be
or become interested enough to deliberate on substantive and politically difficult
questions [17,50,53,60–62]. The policy analyst can take on a facilitating role in such a
debate by promoting equality and openness in the design and by giving ordinary citizens
and laymen a role alongside others [17]. The European Participatory Technology
Project [40] includes examples of projects in various European countries whereby
democratisation of the debate on controversial issues of science and technology has been
achieved with laymen and ordinary citizens [40].
5.5 Process style
Just as in a game of chess, the parties that participate in a policy-making process will
exhibit strategic behaviour in the pursuit of their own objectives and achievement of the
best possible positions, even if such action runs counter to the public interest formulated
in policy [22]. It is perfectly understandable that, in controversial and complex issues,
opponents will underpin their case with conflicting research reports. Impartial experts do
not exist and a solution by way of new reports and studies can aggravate the problem in a
certain sense. In fact, knowledge is (not much more than) negotiated knowledge. It is
better to negotiate and reach agreements about the use of the results of a study or jointly
contracting research [22].
The process style of policy analysis is based on the assumption that substantive
aspects of a policy problem are, in fact, coordinate or perhaps even subordinate to the
procedural aspects of a policy problem. The analyst or process manager creates
‘loose coupling’ of procedural aspects and substantive aspects of a problem. Procedural
aspects are understood to be the organisation of decision-making or the way in which
parties jointly arrive at solutions to a problem. To that end, agreements can be reached
through ‘mediation and negotiation’. If the procedural sides of a policy making or
decision-making process have been thought through properly, it will greatly increase the
likelihood of substantive problems being resolved. Substantive problems can be made
part of a process design, for example, by placing the different substantive aspects on the
agenda.
14 I.S. Mayer, C. Els van Daalen and P.W.G. Bots
5.6 Interactive style
The interactive style of policy analysis assumes that individuals – experts, analysts,
clients, stakeholders and target groups – have or may have differing views of the ‘same’
policy problem. An insight relevant to policy can be obtained by bringing about a
confrontation and interaction of different views. The interactive style has a strong
socio-constructive foundation. Different views of reality can be valid simultaneously.
Through continuous interaction and interpretation – the ‘hermeneutic circle’ – it is
possible to gain an ‘insight’ [63].
In an interactive style of policy analysis, target groups and stakeholders are usually
invited to structure problems or devise solutions in structured working meetings at which
policy analysis techniques may be used [64]. This brings about a multiple interaction
whereby the views and insights of the analyst, the client and also the participants are
enriched [21]. In other words, participants learn about their own views in relation to those
of others, and have an opportunity to refine those views. The selection of views is
obviously crucial. Political considerations – the power to obstruct – and enrichment
arguments – what do citizens really think? – may be interwoven. What matters is the
quality of the obtained insights in combination with the heterogeneity of opinions and
interests. If policy analysis concerns the redevelopment of a city square, for example,
stakeholders such as local residents and business people can be consulted by means of
workshops about the problems they experience with the present arrangement of the
square and their wishes with regard to the new plans. The interactive style assumes that a
process like this is informative for decision-makers and planners, is more likely to lead to
acceptance and fulfilment of the plans, and can bring about all kinds of positive effects
among the participants (learning about each other and about policy processes) [21].
5.7 Definition of archetypal styles
Figure 2 shows the policy analysis styles placed in an ‘archetypal’ way between the
different activities. This rightly suggests that a style balances on two important activities.
This balance does not necessarily need to be in equilibrium. Participatory policy
analysis balances between democratisation and clarification of values and arguments.
The emphasis may be more on one activity than on the other: citizens can be directly
involved in discussions about genetic technology, or the analyst may be mainly interested
in the value systems, arguments and opinions of citizens about the technology and may
want to systematise them for the purpose of policy advice.
The argumentative style balances between research and analyse and clarification of
values and arguments. Some argumentative policy analysts attempt to improve the quality
of policy by testing the policy design as thoroughly as possible, or by building on
consistency, validity etc. of the underlying arguments [4]. This is based on the principle
that ‘claims’ must be backed up by facts (‘backings’). The ‘formal logic’ is dominant in
this setting. Others reconstruct arguments, not in relation to scientific quality, but
according to their variety and richness. This allows greater scope for normative systems,
religion and intuitive arguments [56].
In a similar way, the rational style balances between researched analysis and advisory
design; the interactive style between democratisation ambitions and mediation activities;
the client advice style between substantive design and strategic advice; and the process
style between strategic advice and mediation.
Perspectives on policy analyses: a framework for understanding 15
The styles of policy analysis may thus have different manifestations and emphases.
A focus on a certain activity may result in a style leaning more towards one activity than
to another.
5.8 Combining activities
In the preceding sections of this paper, we have differentiated between the policy analysis
styles by showing that they balance between two activities. It is also possible to let go of
the balance and to make combinations of activities that are not adjacent to one another.
In other words, a policy analytic arrangement will be made whereby two or more
activities that are opposite, rather than adjacent, to each other in the hexagon of Figure 1
can be combined. This kind of combination or arrangement, symbolised by the dashed
diagonals in the hexagon, is achievable in two ways:
The activities can be carried out sequentially or separately, either in various parts of
one policy analysis project or in different complementary or competing projects;
i.e. a form of methodological triangulation of activities. As part of a policy analysis
project focusing on climate change, for example, first research can be conducted by
experts using climate models (activity: research) and subsequently the perceptions
and arguments of ordinary citizens and laymen regarding climate change can be
mapped out (activity: clarify arguments).
The various activities can be integrated into one design or method. As part of a
project focusing on climate change, for example, climate models can be used to get
various groups of stakeholders, experts, politicians and so on to jointly generate and
test policy proposals, while obtaining feedback from representative citizen panels.
Such a design would integrate various activities: research, design, democratise and
mediate.
6 Underlying values
In addition to demarcating and understanding the field of policy analysis and designing a
policy analysis project, our model has a third function: evaluation of policy analysis
projects and methods [30]. The various activities and styles are based on underlying
values and orientations. The values determine in what way a policy analyst or others will
view the quality of the policy analysis study and the criteria that will be applied to
examine it. These criteria can be made explicit by addressing the following questions:
Rational style. What is good knowledge?
Argumentative style. What is good for the debate?
Client advice style. What is good for the client/problem owner?
Participatory style. What is good for democratic society?
Process style. What is good for the process?
Interactive style. What is good for mutual understanding?
16 I.S. Mayer, C. Els van Daalen and P.W.G. Bots
Figure 3 shows that the activities in the top half of the hexagon are primarily
object-oriented activities: a system, a policy design, an argumentative analysis.
The activities at the bottom are subject-oriented activities. They focus primarily on the
interaction between citizens, stakeholders, the analyst and the client. Whereas the top half
activities are usually captured in a product – e.g. a report, a design, a computer
model – the effects of the bottom half activities are usually captured in the quality of the
process itself: increased support base, mutual understanding, citizenship, learning.
The distinction ‘object–subject’ translates into the types of evaluation criteria to be
applied. Object-oriented policy analysts will judge the quality of a policy analysis by its
scientific rigor or the substantive insights it has yielded. Subject-oriented policy analysts
will base their judgment on the contribution of the orchestrated interaction between
stakeholders to the decision-making process. The turning point between object and
subject oriented activities lies with ‘clarification of values and arguments’ and ‘provision
of strategic advice’. These can be either object-oriented and/or subject-oriented.
Figure 3 The underlying values and criteria of policy analysis
Figure 3 also shows that the activities on the left-hand side are judged by idealistic and
generic criteria for good policy analysis, such as validity, reliability, consistency,
fairness, equality or openness. The activities on the right-hand side of the hexagon are
judged by pragmatic and particular criteria, such as workability, usability, opportunity,
feasibility or acceptance.
These criteria for evaluating the quality of a policy analysis project or method are
summarised in Box 7 and appear in the corners of the hexagon in Figure 3.
Perspectives on policy analyses: a framework for understanding 17
Box 7 Translation of values into quality criteria
Research and analyse
Policy analysis will be judged by substantive (scientific) quality criteria such as validity
and reliability, the use and integration of state-of-the-art knowledge, the quality of data
gathering and the formal argumentation and validation of conclusions.
Design and recommend
Policy analysis will be judged by instrumental criteria of policy relevance, such as
usability and accessibility for policymakers, action orientation and utilisation,
presentation and communication of advice, weighing up of alternatives, clear choices and
so on.
Clarify values and arguments
Policy analysis will be judged by quality of argumentation and debate criteria such as
formal logic (consistency), informal logic (rhetoric and sophism) and quality of the
debate in terms such as richness, layering, and openness of arguments.
Advise strategically
Policy analysis will be judged by pragmatic and political effectiveness criteria such as the
‘workability’ of advice, political cleverness and proactive thinking, greater insight
(for the client) in the complex environments (political and strategic dynamics, forces and
powers), targeting and achievement of goals.
Democratise
Policy analysis will be judged by democratic legitimacy criteria such as openness and
transparency of the policymaking process, representation and equality of participants and
interests, absence of manipulation and so on.
Mediate
Policy analysis will be judged by external acceptance and learning criteria such as the
agreement that mutually independent actors reach on the process and/or content, support
for and commitment to the negotiating process and solutions, learning about other
problem perceptions and solutions.
6.1 The role of the policy analyst
As the presented model is based on activities, styles and their associated values, it also
generates and organises the positive and negative images, the metaphors, of the policy
analyst [1–3]. Some policy analysts allow themselves to be guided mainly by their wish
to conduct objective scientific research; these are the objective technicians.
In contrast, others seek interaction with their client; these are the client advisers or
counsellors. Some advocate a clear standpoint such as a more stringent environmental
policy; these are the issue activists. How the role of a policy analyst is perceived depends
on ones own values and position in a policy process. A skilful strategic advisor, for
example, may be highly appreciated by his/her client, but portrayed as a hired gun by
his/her client’s opponents. In Table 2, positive and negative images of the role of the
policy analysts are depicted for each activity.
18 I.S. Mayer, C. Els van Daalen and P.W.G. Bots
Table 2 Images of the policy analyst
Activity Positive role image Negative role image
Research and analyse Independent scientist;
Objective researcher
A moral researcher;
Technocrat
Design and recommend Independent expert;
(engineer); Impartial adviser
Desk expert; ‘Back seat
driver’
Clarify values and arguments Logician or ethic; Narrator Linguistic purist; ‘Journalist’
Advise strategically Involved client adviser;
Client counsellor
‘Hired gun’
Democratise Democratic (issue) advocate Missionary; Utopian
Mediate Facilitator; Process manager Manipulator; Mediator
‘Relativist’
7 Perspectives on the field of policy analysis
Figure 4 presents the complete conceptual model in which policy analysis activities are
related to underlying styles and values and the policy analyst’s roles. The figure enables
us to demarcate all manifestations and varieties of policy analysis and also to develop
new approaches and methods. Methods developed mainly within one style of policy
analysis can be combined with insights from another style and adapted to new activities.
Below, we will briefly recapitulate the functions of the model, i.e. demarcate, design and
evaluate.
Figure 4 Conceptual model of policy analysis
Perspectives on policy analyses: a framework for understanding 19
7.1 Reflection on policy analysis
Policy analysis is characterised by ambitions but also by ambivalences. Various
approaches criticise each other and it is very difficult to define and describe what policy
analysis is. The added value of our model is that it shows why policy analysis is
ambivalent and elusive, namely because the proponents and opponents reason from
different points of departure; about what they are doing, why they are doing it, and the
limitations or conversely the richness of the discipline. It is not our intention in this paper
to adopt a position on our preferred form of policy analysis, even if we were to have one.
Depending on one’s own position, one may accept the wide picture of policy analysis as
depicted in our model, but it is likely that many will argue that certain styles or activities
are not (proper) policy analysis (e.g. [26]): for those critics, the hexagon may turn into a
straight line, a triangle or a square. The problem, of course, is that there will be no
disciplinary consensus on what activities and styles to cut from the hexagon and on what
grounds. For every policy analytic style there are both proponents and critics. Given the
actual and desirable development of the various definitions of policy analysis, we are of
the opinion that the discipline can better be defined too widely than too narrowly.
The integrated conceptual model offers full scope without losing the unity of the policy
analysis and causing the disintegration of the field. The model offers the possibility to
examine policy analyses already performed and to relate these to each other. The model
seeks to provide a foothold, or a framework for demarcating the wide field of work.
7.2 Design of a policy analysis
The model provides an overview of the wealth of possibilities of policy analysis studies
and the interrelationships between them, and can be of help in reflecting consciously and
creatively on the design of a policy analysis. As a rule, policy analysis projects require a
customised design. It is possible, however, to fall back on standard methods of policy
analysis, although the choice and combination of methods will depend on the problem
under examination. The model definitely does not seek to prescribe instrumentally how a
policy analysis should be designed. The opposite is the case, because we advocate
creativity and innovation in designing approaches, actions and methods. Innovative
combinations of researching, designing, recommending, mediating, argumentation and
democratisation can be made. If desired, a rational style of policy analysis may be
combined, for example, with a process style. This would ‘interweave’ analytical or
scientific study in mediation processes between parties [22].
We consider the design of policy analysis to include the development of new methods
of policy analysis so as to allow a good integration of sub-activities. In point of fact, the
history of policy analysis is characterised by the repeated application of creative and
intelligent combinations of methods; methods that originated in one domain are translated
into applications for other domains. The, by now, classical Delphi method and scenario
method came about as methods for studying the future, but are currently used for
strategic advice, mediation and even democratisation in policy Delphis, interactive
scenario methods and scenario-workshops [17]. Cross-impact techniques and stakeholder
analysis techniques, which came about as methods for advising clients, now have
principally interactive applications and are used for mediation. Consensus conferences
that came about as a method for study and mediation between top-experts in medical
20 I.S. Mayer, C. Els van Daalen and P.W.G. Bots
scientific controversies have been transformed into methods for democratising and for
public participation [17,40,53].
7.3 Evaluation of a policy analysis
Each policy analysis activity is based (implicitly) on values concerning the quality and
purposes of the policy analysis. Therefore, policy analysis projects can be examined from
different perspectives. This may lead to different opinions about success or failure,
quality or shortcomings [30]. A substantively thorough and valid study can be unusable
for a client. A brilliant and workable compromise that breaks a stalemate may be based
on negotiated nonsense or may violate or manipulate the interests of legitimate
participants. Conflicts like these are almost inherent in every evaluation of sizeable
policy analysis projects. In the design and evaluation, the policy analyst attempts to cope
as well as possible with these tensions and dilemmas, either by making choices or by
finding new routes.
8 Conclusions
In this paper we have presented a model for policy analysis based on six archetypal
policy analysis activities. This sub-division makes it possible to relate various policy
analysis styles found in the literature to each other and to analyse the characteristics of
and differences between the styles. Additionally, the activities provide pointers for
evaluating policy analyses. By explicitly identifying which activities are being pursued
with the policy analysis, it is possible to use that information as a basis for identifying
success criteria for the policy analysis. The developed framework seeks to map out
transparently the enormous variety of different types of policy analyses and to allow them
to be viewed in relation to each other. The model can also be used to design policy
analysis studies. By making explicit which activities are relevant in a particular
policy analysis, a conscious choice can be made for a certain policy analysis style and the
policy analysis methods can be selected in a well-founded way for the contribution made
by the method or technique to the activities that must be carried out.
While the developed framework provides pointers for reflection, design and
evaluation, it is not intended to be a rigid, prescriptive model. Rather, the intention is for
the policy analyst to be consciously working on the goal of the analysis in relation to the
policy-making process and to produce his own policy analysis design and evaluation.
Acknowledgements
A previous version of this paper was presented at the APPAM conference, Washington
DC in November 2001. Another abridged version was published in the Dutch journal
Beleidswetenschap’ in 2002. Over the years, we have received many useful comments.
We especially want to thank Larry Lynn, Warren Walker, Wil Thissen and Peter DeLeon
for their interest in the model and their suggestions for improvements.
Perspectives on policy analyses: a framework for understanding 21
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... Behind the scenes, a large army policy staff undertakes a broad array of tasks such as researching and analyzing, designing and recommending, clarifying arguments and values, providing strategic advice, democratizing policy processes and mediating policy disputes (Mayer et al 2004). A high level of policy capacity is an important factor in avoiding policy failures (Gleeson 2011;. ...
... Typically, policy analysis has been portrayed as a rationalistic undertaking consisting of career civil servants objectively presenting information to policymakers or 'speaking truth to power' (Wildavsky, 1979;Radin, 2000). Meltsner (1976) was the first to develop a more multifaceted policy analytical typology, contending that analysts' particular policy analytical style depended on a combination of both political and technical skills which were in turn shaped by a unique combination of education, professional training, beliefs and personal motivations (see also Hoppe and Jeliazkova, 2006;Mayer van Daalen and Bots, 2004;Durning and Osuna, 1994;Jenkins-Smith, 1982;Dluhy, 1981). Mayer (2004) similarly noted 'the variety and multi-faceted nature of poli-cy analysis makes it clear that there is no single, let alone 'one best', way of conducting policy analyses.' ...
... Meltsner (1976) was the first to develop a more multifaceted policy analytical typology, contending that analysts' particular policy analytical style depended on a combination of both political and technical skills which were in turn shaped by a unique combination of education, professional training, beliefs and personal motivations (see also Hoppe and Jeliazkova, 2006;Mayer van Daalen and Bots, 2004;Durning and Osuna, 1994;Jenkins-Smith, 1982;Dluhy, 1981). Mayer (2004) similarly noted 'the variety and multi-faceted nature of poli-cy analysis makes it clear that there is no single, let alone 'one best', way of conducting policy analyses.' In one common argument about contemporary analytical activities, the emergence of a 'new governance environment' (Pal, 2001;Savoie, 2003b) in many countries is said to have altered policymaking and policy work and posed significant challenges to policy analytical capacities. ...
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An ongoing concern with many Canada’s governments is avoiding climate change related policy failure, including that associated with climate change. In response, there has been a spate of government-led climate change vulnerability and risk assessments, studies, and strategies. With a growing attention on developing the ‘right’ policies and program to address climate change needs to be examined as an important factor in ‘adaptive capacity’. As governments turn their attention from broad strategizing to policy-making, we argue that a consideration of the often overlooked micro-level and seemingly routine government based capacity—especially the advice needed to formulate and implement policy changes—is required. A high level of policy capacity is an important factor in avoiding policy failures. The questionnaire was delivered through a webbased survey of 1469 Canadian provincial and territorial government policy analysts working in nine provinces and three territorial jurisdictions in the climate change, environmental, financial, forestry, natural resource, infrastructure, transportation, and water sectors. A comparison of mean scores across key indicators of policy work was conducted. A number of policy implications were raised. First, those in financial sector do very little climate change policy work. Second, the fracturing of roles in those departments responsible for forestry reflects the complexity of the climate change issue and a developed division of labour. Those who identified with forestry sector, under performed despite their concern about climate change, in terms of key policy tasks, the level of complexity that the issues were addressed and a low level engagement with stakeholders with those outside of government. Policy capacity was also undermined with a view that departments were committed vis a vis their mission statements but that this commitment was not reflected in their daily operations.
... To a large extent, the shortcomings of Mexico's decent housing policy agenda are associated with the limitations of normative policymaking (Mayer et al. 2004), the exigencies of multilateral organizations such as the United Nations and World Bank, and the fundamental disconnect between policy and reality (Lejano and Shankar 2012). Indeed, in a mainstream policy context, it is possible to adopt priorities (reducing housing deprivation), implement policy (subsidized construction of social interest housing), and achieve targeted objectives (as shown in Table 1) while not addressing underlying issues (the ultimate causes of housing vulnerability and deprivation). ...
... A pragmatic, non-normative approach to reconciling policy and reality would attempt to ascertain the practical effects of interventions and resolve debates about alternative policies through discussion, rather than observation or measurement (Lejano 2006;Mayer et al. 2004). Ultimately, the most important factors in deciding among policy alternatives are authenticity, context and coherencethe legitimacy, fit and appropriateness of a proposed intervention or initiative in a particular place at a particular time (Lejano and Shankar 2012). ...
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Using a combination of fieldwork and secondary sources, this paper offers a critical appraisal of Mexico’s social housing policy agenda. Specifically, the study poses two research questions: Does the subsidized construction of mass-produced “social interest” housing fulfill its objectives as the primary means of providing decent housing for low and moderate-income households? And, to what extent does “densification” work as a strategy for combating urban sprawl and promoting more sustainable urban development? In both cases, the study concludes that social housing policy has largely failed to achieve its purported objectives. Notwithstanding undeniable improvement in the quality of housing and provision of essential urban services, Mexico’s social housing agenda largely disregards the messy details and complexity of local social, cultural and environmental contexts, resulting in incoherent policies that are disarticulated from the real lives of vulnerable households. Rather, the twin policy discourses of decent housing and sustainability actually allow the Mexican government to achieve three covert objectives: 1) demonstration of unfettered and unrelenting progress towards “development”, in line with international standards and the expectations of multilateral organizations; 2) generation of much-needed employment opportunities in housing-related industries; and 3) assuring the profitability of a small group of national and regional construction firms which control the country’s social interest homebuilding industry. In light of these findings, this study highlights the potential of a non-normative, place-specific approach to policy, which accounts for complexity and local context and promotes collaboration among residents, community organizations, and other stakeholders.
... In addressing power imbalances, equity, vested interests and trust, serious games allow, to a certain extent, the dampening of power imbalances by allowing equal access for all participants, and allow for mediation, negotiation and development of conflict resolution methods (Mayer et al. 2004). By having clear objectives and a sense of conflict built into the game design, where participants are working towards a resolution, community empowerment can be built through collaboration and engagements in the game (ProActive 2009; Sharma-Wallace et al. 2018). ...
... Games allow out of the box thinking and delivering solutions (Mayer et al. 2004) in a consequence-free environment, where things can be trialled and experimented with before attempting implementation in the real world. Susi et al. (2007) note that serious games can be used for exploring leadership challenges, there is a growing body of literature around the use of serious games for leadership development, particularly, in the corporate sector (Donovan 2012). ...
... A policy can be examined from multiple perspectives [10]. ...
... Many attempts have been made to typologize the use of advice in the policy process (Aubin and Brans, 2021), including advisers' roles (Connaughton, 2010;Mayer et al., 2004;Pielke, 2007), as well as the style and the substance of advice offered (Howlett and Lindquist, 2004;Prasser, 2006). Providing advice on collaboration involves offering substantive input on how to design respective processes (SAPEA, 2019, p. 58; see also Brand and Karvonen, 2007;Fischer, 2009;Maasen and Weingart, 2005;Martinsen, 2006). ...
Thesis
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Why do exercises in collaborative governance often witness more impasse than advantage? This cumulative dissertation undertakes a micro-level analysis of collaborative governance to tackle this research puzzle. It situates micropolitics at the very center of analysis: a wide range of activities, interventions, and tactics used by actors – be they conveners, facilitators, or participants – to shape the collaborative exercise. It is by focusing on these daily minutiae, and on the consequences that they bring along, the study argues, that we can better understand why and how collaboration can become stuck or unproductive. To do so, the foundational part of this dissertation (Article 1) uses power as a sensitizing concept to investigate the micro-dynamics that shape collaboration. It develops an analytical approach to advance the study of collaborative governance at the empirical level under a power-sensitive and process-oriented perspective. The subsequent articles follow the dissertation's red thread of investigating the micropolitics of collaborative governance by showing facilitation artefacts' interrelatedness and contribution to the potential success or failure of collaborative arrangements (Article 2); and by examining the specialized knowledge, skills and practices mobilized when designing a collaborative process (Article 3). The work is based on an abductive research approach, tacking back and forth between empirical data and theory, and offers a repertoire of concepts – from analytical terms (designed and emerging interaction orders, flows of power, arenas for power), to facilitation practices (scripting, situating, and supervising) and types of knowledge (process expertise) – to illustrate and study the detailed and constant work (and rework) that surrounds collaborative arrangements. These concepts sharpen the way researchers can look at, observe, and understand collaborative processes at a micro level. The thesis thereby elucidates the subtleties of power, which may be overlooked if we focus only on outcomes rather than the processes that engender them, and supports efforts to identify potential sources of impasse.
Chapter
Policy analysis serves a democratic politics best when it is both responsive and responsible, contributing hindsight and foresight while serving the government of the day, the legislature and the public, and building strategic alliances for long-term, durable policy-making beyond the current electoral term. A nuanced approach to client focus, maintaining our personal and professional integrity and trustworthiness, and consistently demonstrating a spirit of service to the community, contribute to anticipatory governance, prudence without paralysis, and intergenerational accountability. We can take analysis and advice beyond react-and-respond short-termism, and avoid echo chambers and group-think, by developing and using people skills to facilitate open, public deliberation; by engaging in policy evaluation and reflective practice; and by protecting open inquiry and critical thinking within our workplaces. Learning as we go, together we can help our societies anticipate and respond to change and challenge, now and in the future.
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Book
Cambridge Core - Political Theory - Discursive Democracy - by John S. Dryzek
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Only a few laboratories in the world have taken the bold step to attempt the integration of sub-models of the climate system, the global biogeochemical cycles and the human/societal components. This volume reports such a major undertaking and it is an important step towards an integrated approach to global change science. The IMAGE 2 model is important in demonstrating our current ability to model the complex global system.
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Postpositivist critics have brought a new stridency to the ongoing discourse about the nature, applications, and usefulness of policy analysis. Regrettably, their critique is based on a decontextualized caricature, virtually a parody, of policy analysis training and practice. Their assertions are chilling but false, ideological rather than analytical, and detached from the inconvenient realities of policy making and management. Far from being narrowly technocratic and scientistic, policy analysis is dedicated to improving the craft of governance. It is fueled by intuition, argument, and ethical promptings; clearly engaged with the world of political action; and often identified with interests and values otherwise unrepresented at the table. Q-methodology and other approaches to values identification and analysis can be important contributors to policy analysis practice, but postpositivists have a very long way to go if they are to be relevant to the practical challenges of democratic governance that arise in the many roles that working policy analysts perform. (C) 1999 by the Association for Public Policy Analysis and Management.