At the Interface Between Theory and Practice: Policy Transfer and Lesson-Drawing

This textbook offers a fresh approach to the study of comparative politics and public policy. Instead of concentrating on why countries differ, Learning From Comparative Public Policy explores how countries can learn from each other about the success and failure of policy initiatives. With its theory and practise focus, the lively narrative analyses the cultural and resources problems involved in importing policies, and the roles of institutions, regulators, think tanks and experts. In addition to explaining the key tenets of policy analysis, the internationally renowned author offers a wide variety of international case-studies and useful boxes to highlight examples. Invaluable reading for students of public policy, for policy makers and practioners working in the public sector, the book's content includes: Introduction: Why learn lessons from abroad? The need to learn; Why foreigners? Applying knowledge Part 1: Getting Started 1. Understanding Programmes and Lessons; Programmes as building blocks; Parallel and interdependent programmes; What a lesson is -- and is not 2. Creating Awareness of Problems; No problem: we're satisfied; Events create problems; Solutions make it easier to face up to problems 3. Where to Look for Lessons; Uses and limits of history; Learning from afar as well as near at hand; Too big or too good to ignore Part 2: Venturing Home 4. Finding Out How a Programme Really Works; Forums for learning: official and unofficial; No substitute for going there 5. Turning Anecdotes into a Model; What a model is; What a model leaves out Part 3: Returning Home 6. Drawing Lessons; Applying a model; Applying lessons in the European Union 7. Should a Lesson Be Adopted? Political conflicts about ends and means; Pressures from abroad; Vetoes are not permanent 8. Can a Lesson Be Applied? Inheritance before choice; Resource limitations; Mutual misunderstandings 9. Increasing Chances of Sucess; Making the most of contingencies; Manipulating foreign symbols 10. Looking Ahead; Evaluation -- prospective and retrospective; As time goes by: evolution and adaption; Never say never in politics -- but you may have to wait References Index