Struggle and Triumph in Fusing Policy Process and Comparative Research

Abstract

Policymaking is characterized by general patterns not restricted to one or a few jurisdictions, policy domains, or institutional constellations. This chapter focuses on a specific subgroup of the literature—comparative research drawing on the theories of the policy process—and discusses its challenges and opportunities. It discusses a set of conceptual categories that group the various challenges in conducting comparative policy process research. The definition of policy process provides the study of the interactions that occur over time between public policies and surrounding actors, events, contexts, and outcomes. Comparative public policy research has adopted a pragmatic approach to the question of what constitutes a public policy; there is agreement that the content rather than the form matters. The chapter discusses empirical and methodological considerations before formulating a comparative policy research agenda. The classic policy analysis literature acknowledged the relationship between policies and politics.

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