Description
Book SynopsisPolicy design efforts are often hampered by an inadequate understanding of how policy tools and actions promote effective policies. This book addresses this gap by proposing a causal theory of the linkages between policy actions and policy effects. Adopting a mechanistic perspective, it identifies the causal processes that activate policy effects and help achieve policy goals.
Bringing together established and emerging scholars in the field, Making Policies Work introduces new concepts of first- and second- order policy mechanisms developed from epistemological and theoretical perspectives, and considers how they can be activated through design. Theoretical concepts are explored through empirical cases from different policy arenas and contemporary policy issues such as partnerships in healthcare, food waste prevention, retirement savings, EU regulations and public sector reform.
Graduate students in public policy, public administration and political science will find the powerful analytical tools offered in this book useful in exploring the theoretical elements of effective policy design. Policymakers and practitioners in governmental and non-governmental organisations interested in the practical applications will also benefit from reading this timely book.
Contributors include: S. Busetti, G. Capano, M.E. Compton, B. Dente, C.A. Dunlop, M.T. Galanti, S. Giest, M. Guidi, M. Howlett, E. Lindquist, E. Ongaro, C.M. Radaelli, M. Ramesh, P. 't Hart, A. Virani, R.K. Weaver, A. Wellstead
Table of ContentsContents: PART I INTRODUCTION: WHY STUDY POLICY MECHANISMS? 1. Disentangling the Mechanistic Chain for Better Policy Design Giliberto Capano, Michael Howlett and M. Ramesh 2. Policy Process Research and the Causal Mechanism Movement: Reinvigorating the Field? Evert Lindquist and Adam Wellstead PART II FIRST ORDER MECHANISMS AND CASES 3. Structural Mechanisms Affecting Policy Subsystems Activity: Beyond Individual and Group Behavioural Propensities in Policy Design and Policy Change Michael Howlett 4. The Mechanisms of Food Waste Prevention: Theory, Design, and Practice for Changing Behaviours \ Simone Busetti and Bruno Dente 5. How Neglecting Policy Mechanisms Can Lead to Policy Failure: Insights from Public-Private Partnerships in India’s Health Sector Altaf Virani and M. Ramesh 6. Design Activation in Multi-level Settings Maria Tullia Galanti and Sarah Giest PART III SECOND ORDER MECHANISMS AND CASES 7. Policy Instruments, Policy Learning and Politics: Impact Assessment in the European Union Claire A. Dunlop and Claudio M. Radaelli 8. Accountability Mechanisms: The Case of the European Banking Union Mattia Guidi 9. Advancing the Theory and Practice of Public Sector Reform through the Analysis of Social Mechanisms Edoardo Ongaro PART IV USING MECHANISTIC METHODS FOR POLICY DESIGN AND ANALYSIS 10. Reverse Engineering and Policy Design R. Kent Weaver 11. Looping to Success (and Failure): Second-order Mechanisms and Policy Outcomes Mallory Compton and Paul ‘t Hart Index
