Working for Policy
Distributed for Amsterdam University Press
Though democratic government calls for well-designed and implemented policy, there is surprisingly little expert guidance available for policy makers and politicians. Working for Policy fills that gap, addressing the nature of policy work and offering necessary guidance. The contributors bring together academic and experiential knowledge in their analysis and evaluation of what modern policy makers do in given situations and of how such actions contribute to the policy process. This unique book demonstrates how scholars can help to ensure that policy makers can acquire the skills and knowledge required in governing complex modern societies.
Preface
A. Introduction
1. Understanding Policy Work
Hal Colebatch, Robert Hoppe and Mirko Noordegraaf
B. Accounts of Policy Work
2. Giving Accounts of Policy Work
Hal Colebatch
3. Academic Accounts of Policy Experience
Mirko Noordegraaf
C. Constructing Meaning Through Policy Work
4. New Life for Old Buildings: Mediating Between Different Meanings
Tamara Metze
5. Policy Workers Tinkering with Uncertainty: Dutch Econometric Policy Advice in Action
Annick de Vries, Willem Halffman and Rob Hoppe
D. Policy Work as Mediation
6. Managing the Problematic in Policy Work
Lydia Sterrenberg
7. Evaluation as Policy Work: Puzzling and Powering in a Dutch Program for Sustainable Development
Anne Loeber
E. Policy Work Beyond the Nation-State
8. Policy Work Between National and International Contexts: Maintaining Ongoing Collaboration
Tanja Woeltjes
9. Flying Blind in Brussels: How National Officials Do European Business Without Political Steering
Karin Geuijen and Paul ‘t Hart
F. Linking Systemic and Experiential Knowledge
10. Is Evidence-Based Policy Making Really Possible? Reflections for Policymakers and Academics on Making Use of Research in the Work of Policy
Amanda Williams
11. Locating the Work of Policy
Cris Shore
G. Conclusion
12. The Lessons for Policy Work
Hal Colebatch, Robert Hoppe and Mirko Noordegraaf
About the Authors
Index of Names
Index of Subjects
Sociology: General Sociology
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