An article (in a new journal) examined the role of the internet in policy-making, and the impact of internet-enabled social change on government policy tools. It highlighted a number of values normally associated with the internet – innovation, trust, openness, and equity – that might be expected to emerge in policy trends.
Source: Helen Margetts, 'The internet and public policy', Policy and Internet, Volume 1 Issue 1
Links: Abstract
Date: 2009-Dec
A report by a committee of MPs said that the government should make – in a revised statement of principles on scientific advice to government – a commitment to uphold and protect the academic freedom of those providing advice, and an 'explicit and clear' recognition that experts could comment on government policy.
Source: The Government's Review of the Principles Applying to the Treatment of Independent Scientific Advice Provided to Government, Third Report (Session 2009-10), HC 158, House of Commons Science and Technology Select Committee/TSO
Links: Report
Date: 2009-Dec
The government began consultation on the 'high-level principles' designed to ensure effective engagement between the government and those who provided independent science and engineering advice. The principles covered the issues of trust, respect, independence, transparency, and openness.
Source: Guidelines on Scientific Analysis in Policy Making, Government Chief Scientific Adviser/Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
Links: Consultation document | DBIS press release | Times Higher Education report
Date: 2009-Dec
An article examined the way that aspects of social policy had changed over the previous 40 years, and the significance of six particular changes. More social problems had come to be seen as having a supra-national dimension; the scale and ramifications of problems were much better appreciated; the accepted territory of social policy had greatly widened; the state had lost people's confidence; organizational and management issues were seen as much more important; and the health of the economy had come to be regarded as a greater priority than the development of systems of social welfare.
Source: Paul Wilding, 'Social policy: now and then', Social Policy and Administration, Volume 43 Number 7
Links: Abstract
Date: 2009-Dec
A think-tank report said that 'tough' policy issues like the drugs trade, climate change, and gang crime could not be solved by a 'silver bullet': but the rhetoric of contemporary policy-makers and politicians suggested that they could. The authors set out an alternative approach based on learning and adaptation, and a preparedness to embrace uncertainty and complexity.
Source: Jake Chapman, Charlie Edwards and Simon Hampson, Connecting the Dots, Demos
Date: 2009-Dec
A group of leading scientists called on the government to subscribe to a set of principles for the treatment of independent scientific advice (following the sacking of drugs adviser David Nutt). The principles covered academic freedom, independence of operation, and proper consideration of advice.
Source: Principles for the Treatment of Independent Scientific Advice, Sense About Science
Links: Principles | Times Higher Education report | BBC report (1) | BBC report (2) | Guardian report (1) | Guardian report (2)
Date: 2009-Nov
The government began consultation on options for revising the guidelines (last updated in 2005) on the way government departments obtained and used scientific advice.
Source: Guidelines on Scientific Analysis in Policy Making, Government Chief Scientific Adviser/Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (0870 150 2500)
Links: Consultation document | DBIS press release | Times Higher Education report
Date: 2009-Nov
A new book examined the theory and practice of community participation in the making of social policy.
Source: Margaret Ledwith and Jane Springett, Participatory Practice: Community-based action for transformative change, Policy Press, available from Marston Book Services (01235 465500)
Links: Summary
Date: 2009-Nov
An article examined the use of public consultation by the Northern Ireland central government between 2000 and 2004.
Source: Michael Murray, Honor Fagan and Paul McCusker, 'Measuring horizontal governance: a review of public consultation by the Northern Ireland government between 2000 and 2004', Policy & Politics, Volume 37 Number 4
Links: Abstract
Date: 2009-Oct
A new book examined policy network theory – a theory about the causal processes leading up to policy change, based on identifying sets of political actors drawn together by resource interdependencies.
Source: Hugh Compston, Policy Networks and Policy Change: Putting policy network theory to the test, Palgrave Macmillan (01256 329242)
Links: Summary | Introduction and index
Date: 2009-Sep
A paper examined the political economy of social policy change, focusing on the role of employers in the extension and retrenchment of earnings-related unemployment insurance between the mid-1960s and the mid-1980s. It said that the literature had been dominated by state-centric theories that had neglected the causal importance of societal groups. A society-centred approach was needed instead in the study of welfare state change.
Source: Adam Saunders, New Perspectives on the Political Economy of Social Policy Change: The case of British earnings-related unemployment insurance, Barnett Papers in Social Research 4/2009, Department of Social Policy and Social Work/University of Oxford (01865 270325)
Links: Paper
Date: 2009-Sep
An article examined two contrasting approaches used by governments to engage the citizen to promote better public policy outcomes: nudging citizens using the insights of behavioural economics, or giving citizens the space to think through and debate solutions, as indicated by proponents of deliberative democracy.
Source: Peter John, Graham Smith and Gerry Stoker, 'Nudge nudge, think think: two strategies for changing civic behaviour', Political Quarterly, Volume 80 Issue 3
Links: Abstract
Date: 2009-Aug
An article examined the effects of devolution on social policy in Scotland since 1999.
Source: Elke Viebrock, 'Social policy in Scotland since devolution', Social Policy and Society, Volume 8 Issue 3
Links: Abstract
Date: 2009-Aug
A new textbook examined the changing nature of social welfare as shaped by the demands of social movements. It considered the historical and theoretical relationship between state welfare and social movements; the historical contribution of various social movements to the creation of the welfare state; and the contemporary challenge posed by 'new social movements' in relation to the family, discrimination, the environment, and global social justice.
Source: Jason Annetts, Alex Law, Wallace McNeish and Gerry Mooney, Understanding Social Welfare Movements, Policy Press, available from Marston Book Services (01235 465500)
Links: Summary
Date: 2009-Jul
An article reported a qualitative survey of 48 members of the general public, which was used to examine perceptions of and responses to the National Health Service reforms, and to show how public discourse in this area was at variance with the instrumentalist and individualist assumptions of policy-makers. The result of this variance was that the reform programme damaged the legitimacy of the service, and that those responsible for the new policies failed to recognize that the 'individual instrumental agenda' was eroding public trust.
Source: Peter Taylor-Gooby and Andrew Wallace, 'Public values and public trust: responses to welfare state reform in the UK', Journal of Social Policy, Volume 38 Issue 3
Links: Abstract
Date: 2009-Jul
A collection of essays analyzed the impact of fear on the development of social policy in the United Kingdom, in the wake of major terrorist attacks.
Source: David Denney (ed.), Living in Dangerous Times: Fear, insecurity, risk and social policy, Wiley (01243 779777)
Links: Summary
Date: 2009-Jun
A new book highlighted the values-based dimension of public policy. It examined the major values that drove public policy, including fairness, efficiency, and economic growth – as well as instrumental values, such as the degree of 'toughness' to be employed in dealing with social problems.
Source: Jenny Stewart, Public Policy Values, Palgrave Macmillan (01256 329242)
Links: Summary
Date: 2009-Jun
The 21st edition was published of Social Policy Review, providing critical analyses of progress and change in areas of major interest to social policy specialists during the previous year.
Source: Kirstein Rummery, Ian Greener and Chris Holden (eds.), Social Policy Review 21: Analysis and debate in social policy, 2009, Policy Press, available from Marston Book Services (01235 465500)
Links: Summary
Date: 2009-Jun
A report examined how to develop better links between Whitehall policy-makers and front-line professionals in order to drive forward public service reform. It called for more engagement with front-line professionals in policy-making.
Source: David Omand, Ken Starkey and Victor Adebowale, Engagement and Aspiration: Reconnecting policy making with front line professionals, Sunningdale Institute/National School of Government (01344 634000)
Links: Report | Sunningdale Institute press release
Date: 2009-Jun
A report said that civil service leaders needed to create opportunities for policy-makers to reconnect to the frontline. This transformation would involve government officials having more appreciation of the public as a resource and not as a problem. Ultimately it was the public's engagement, motivation, and aspirations that would provide the foundations for a more innovative approach to public service.
Source: Su Maddock, Change You Can Believe In: The Leadership of innovation, Sunningdale Institute/National School of Government (01344 634000)
Links: Report | Sunningdale Institute press release
Date: 2009-Jun
A guide challenged existing policy evaluation practice and the rationale for intervention, evaluating impact, and assessing value for money. It called for the use of more sophisticated evaluation techniques, greater use of cost-benefit analysis, and a more harmonized approach to public policy and investment decisions.
Source: Pushing the Boundaries of Impact Evaluation, SQW Consulting (020 7307 7140)
Links: Guide | SQW press release
Date: 2009-Apr
A new book examined what had happened over the previous decade across a broad range of key policy areas, what were the existing challenges, and what options an incoming government – regardless of political persuasion – might have in seeking to address them.
Source: Varun Uberoi, Adam Coutts, Iain McLean and David Halpern (eds.), Options for a New Britain, Palgrave Macmillan (01256 329242)
Links: Summary | ESRC press release
Date: 2009-Mar
An article examined what was known about the making of strategy in government; the criticisms that had been levelled at attempts to be more strategic; the factors explaining the successes and the failures in the field; and what was needed to 'make strategy work'.
Source: Geoff Mulgan, 'What's posterity ever done for me? On strategy in government', Public Policy Research, Volume 15 Issue 4
Links: Abstract
Date: 2009-Feb
A new book examined the role and capacity of faith groups within specific public policy contexts – including education, regeneration, housing, and community cohesion – with particular reference to the activities of young people and of women.
Source: Adam Dinham, Robert Furbey and Vivien Lowndes (eds.), Faith in the Public Realm: Controversies, policies and practices, Policy Press, available from Marston Book Services (01235 465500)
Links: Summary
Date: 2009-Jan
A think-tank report offered a set of principles for policy-makers, based on research – across the policy areas of economic development, children in care, and criminal justice – that found that making visible and valuing the outcomes that mattered most to individuals, communities, and society led to more informed policy-making.
Source: Eilis Lawlor, Jeremy Nicholls and Eva Nietzert, Seven Principles for Measuring What Matters: A guide to effective public policy-making, New Economics Foundation (020 7820 6300)
Links: Report | NEF press release
Date: 2009-Jan
An audit report said that there were marked differences between the best and worst impact assessments prepared by government departments, and variations in quality between different elements within individual assessments. There was also insufficient analysis of evidence in the weaker assessments.
Source: Delivering High Quality Impact Assessments, HC 128 (Session 2008-09), National Audit Office, TSO (0870 600 5522)
Links: Report | Summary | NAO press release
Date: 2009-Jan
An article examined the use of evidence to inform policy within a public sector body. It examined the way policymakers defined the kind of evidence they needed, how they went about getting it, and what they did with it once they had it. It highlighted the need for clear planning with regard to the skills needed to ensure the gathering of relevant and high-quality evidence, and for an interactive role in which specialist researchers could make a more substantial contribution to policy development.
Source: Andrew Nocon, 'Using evidence to inform policy in a non-governmental public body', Evidence & Policy, Volume 5 Number 1
Links: Abstract
Date: 2009-Jan