Public Policy Making in Tunisia: The Contribution of Policy Research Institutes

Abstract

The concept of governance is increasingly used to describe a range of factors relating to “the exercise of economic, political and administrative authority to manage a country’s affairs at all levels.” The process of policymaking lies at the heart of the governance challenge. The conception, planning, implementation and evaluation of public policies are the visible outcomes of the process of exercising economic, political and administrative authority. These policy processes and their outcomes can be measured, assessed and evaluated in order to improve governance and achieve higher value outcomes for the public. The important role of applied research in this process is increasingly being recognised by practitioners. This paper examines the role of policy research institutes in Tunisia in policy evaluation and providing policy makers with valuable data and analysis in order to contribute to a better understanding of policy problems and more effective policies that are targeted to the needs of the affected groups. Our research shows that such institutes are developing a stake in the policymaking process in Tunisia, using new spaces for policy research and critical engagement to scrutinise and question government policies, challenge policy frameworks and government models and raise new policy problems. The paper examines the challenges facing these institutes and presents recommendations for strengthening their role in order to contribute to developing more effective forms of policy monitoring and evaluation that can help the state to design more effective public services, assist legislative bodies to better exercise their role of democratic oversight, and raise the public’s level of understanding of, and engagement in, how their government is conducting their affairs.