Medium Problem Pressure and Policy Learning: A Comparative Analysis of European Countries

Abstract

This paper analyzes under which conditions substantiated, i.e. hard fact based, knowledge contributes to reforming social policies. The article argues that hard fact based policy knowledge is most likely to enter reforms against the background of a medium problem pressure. In case a policy challenge entails high problem pressure that necessitates immediate action, or if the problem pressure is very low, policymakers are most likely to pursue politically motivated solutions or to use knowledge politically. Only if the problem requires no immediate action and is severe enough to take policy advice into account, there will be sufficient time for a hard fact based learning process that precedes actual reform decisions. A comparative analysis of social policy reforms with different degrees of problem pressure in Belgium, Greece, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland and the UK illustrates this argument empirically.