Comparative Public Administration
Comparative Public Policy Analysis examines the courses and consequences of public policies on contemporary democracies, through a strong interdisciplinary frame work. According to Hiedenhiemer states that comparative public policy “relate to the dynamics in the social and economic systems, but the primary focus is on explicitly comparative analysis of how states differ in the manner in which their policies are politically grounded” (1985:442). His argument revolved around various thresholds of visibility- the development of policy as comparative cross-nationally, comparability–The ability to compare policies (type of method undertaken), conceptual Coherence-universality of definitions and models across boarders; North America and Western Europe and durability- comparative studies subject to the various reform measures. A comparative study is critically important in policy analysis and process because it provides an environment for policy evaluation, feedback and more efficient and effective policy formulation.
In order to fully conceptualize Comparative Policy studies, it is critical to understand the approaches which attempt to explain it. Two major approaches to comparative policy analysis include policy networking and policy transfer.
The term policy network is used in three man ways in various literatures: as a description of governments at work, as a theory for analysing government policymaking and as a prescription for reforming policy management. According to Peterson and Bloomberg 199:8, the term policy networks refers to " a cluster of actors, each of which has an interest or "stake" in a given policy sector and the capacity to help determine policy success of failure." Networks represent a tangible form of complex relations in our information society outside formal institutions, including governments and states. They characterize a fluid kind of association of various groups of what has been termed ‘global civil society’ (Salamon et al. 2003).
In order to fully conceptualize Comparative Policy studies, it is critical to understand the approaches which attempt to explain it. Two major approaches to comparative policy analysis include policy networking and policy transfer.
The term policy network is used in three man ways in various literatures: as a description of governments at work, as a theory for analysing government policymaking and as a prescription for reforming policy management. According to Peterson and Bloomberg 199:8, the term policy networks refers to " a cluster of actors, each of which has an interest or "stake" in a given policy sector and the capacity to help determine policy success of failure." Networks represent a tangible form of complex relations in our information society outside formal institutions, including governments and states. They characterize a fluid kind of association of various groups of what has been termed ‘global civil society’ (Salamon et al. 2003).