Policy-making Process Research Articles

New development: A resilient framework for optimizing the Republic of Kosovo's sustainable development

IMPACT This article offers critical insights for policy-makers, development strategists, environmental advocates, and academics engaged in the rigorous pursuit of sustainable development within the context of political uncertainties and evolving global challenges. It amplifies the discourse on integrating and reporting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into national development strategies, using Kosovo's endeavours as a pivotal case study. By emphasizing the role of resilience theory in enhancing adaptive governance and multi-sectoral collaboration for SDG achievement, this article substantiates the imperative for innovative, inclusive, and resilient approaches to SDG integration and reporting in national development planning. The findings and recommendations advocate for the strategic alignment of national development initiatives with global sustainability objectives, underscoring the importance of establishing environmental sustainability as a core pillar and the necessity for comprehensive stakeholder engagement in the policy-making process. As such, this work contributes to the broadening evidence base supporting the integration of resilience and sustainability principles into the governance and implementation of development strategies.

Variation in levels of professionalism in healthcare policymaking during the Obama, Trump, and Biden administrations.

During the Trump administration it was widely asserted in the news media that the administration's agency appointees were less professional than appointees from previous administrations. Using qualitative data from 35 interviews with lobbyists, congressional staffers, and executive branch officials, and quantitative and qualitative data on years of relevant experience and job type at the date of nomination, it is demonstrated that indeed the Trump administration attracted less talent than the Obama and Biden administrations, which resulted in less supply and demand for expertise and thus a diminished role of expertise in the policymaking process.

Rethinking urban spatial planning and industrial development approaches in Ethiopia: bridging gaps for better outcomes

Urbanization is occurring at an unprecedented rate in developing countries like Ethiopia, especially with the rapid growth of industrialization. However, this urbanization and industrial development surge puts immense pressure on preparing and implementing city spatial plans. Urban spatial planning plays a crucial role in shaping the development of cities, aiming to create livable and sustainable urban development. The plan-making process and its subsequent implementation often encounter challenges that hinder the realization of planned objectives. Galan and Dukem, cities near Addis Ababa’s capital, have seen substantial industrial investment in recent decades. This article explores the challenges associated with urban spatial planning and industrial development while proposing alternative approaches. The paper relies on information gathered from primary and secondary sources, including expert surveys and key informants’ interviews. The research highlights that industrial developments have led to significant and uncontrolled changes in urban land use and urbanization in the study areas. Due to the lack of clear planning guidelines and institutional capacity, the study cities are experiencing haphazard development without effective urban spatial plans. Proximity to Addis Ababa has driven the urbanization process through increased investments. The article contends that effective management of urbanization and industrialization can create enjoyable living conditions and foster job growth. Macroeconomic policies, including industrial policies, should pay attention to spatial elements and prevent policy-making processes that are “space-blind”. This, however, requires clairvoyance and a high level of expertise, integrating inputs from advocacy planning and community participation to bridge gaps and ensure effective urban spatial plans and industrialization processes.

Statewide Community College Promise Programs: An Event History Analysis

ABSTRACT Between the 2014 adoption of the Tennessee Promise Act and 2019, 16 states enacted their own statewide promise program policies making community college tuition free for numerous students. In this study, we sought to determine which state-level factors predicted the adoption of a statewide promise program policy. Using data from 2013 to 2019, we conducted an event history analysis to identify state-level political, economic, social, and higher education system conditions that predicted promise program policy adoption. Partisan control of state government, total state population, percentage of state population identified as white, and percentage of state appropriations allocated to community colleges were associated with statewide promise program policy adoption. Our findings suggest that there is no single factor or grand narrative that results in promise program policy adoption. Instead, the results highlight the complexities within the policymaking process.

Evolving Environmental Regulations in Response to Climate Change

Purpose: The general objective of the study was to explore the evolving environmental regulations in response to climate change. Methodology: The study adopted a desktop research methodology. Desk research refers to secondary data or that which can be collected without fieldwork. Desk research is basically involved in collecting data from existing resources hence it is often considered a low cost technique as compared to field research, as the main cost is involved in executive’s time, telephone charges and directories. Thus, the study relied on already published studies, reports and statistics. This secondary data was easily accessed through the online journals and library. Findings: The findings reveal that there exists a contextual and methodological gap relating to the evolving environmental regulations in response to climate change. Preliminary empirical review revealed that that environmental regulations needed to be flexible and adaptive to remain effective amidst the rapidly changing climate landscape. It found that static regulatory frameworks were insufficient for addressing the complexities of climate change and highlighted the necessity for regulations to be updated regularly based on the latest scientific and technological advancements. Additionally, it emphasized that the success of these regulations depended on strong institutional capacities, effective enforcement, and international cooperation to ensure comprehensive and impactful responses to global climate challenges. Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: The Theory of Environmental Regulation and Policy Change, Theory of Ecological Modernization and Theory of Policy Feedback may be used to anchor future studies on evolving environmental regulations in response to climate change. The study recommended that environmental regulations be designed with built-in flexibility to adapt to new scientific knowledge and technological advancements. It suggested enhancing institutional capacities by improving funding, training, and enforcement mechanisms. The study advocated for increased collaboration among stakeholders and greater international cooperation to create a unified regulatory framework. It also emphasized the importance of integrating economic and social considerations into regulatory design, supporting innovation, and ensuring transparency and inclusivity in policy-making processes. These recommendations aimed to improve the effectiveness of climate regulations and foster a more comprehensive and collaborative approach to addressing climate change.

The economywide recovery measures in Rwanda during the COVID-19 pandemic: How useful a lesson?

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, governments in many low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) immediately introduced strict public health measures to contain the spread of infection. The economic consequences of these measures were negative and often large in magnitude, necessitating the rapid introduction of economic relief and recovery measures to reinvigorate economic growth and safeguard affected households. Rwanda stands out among other LMICs both for its effective public health policy response and its adaptive economic policy response to COVID-19. Using a dynamic computable general equilibrium (CGE) model of Rwanda, this paper assesses the economywide and welfare impacts of these policy measures and contextualizes results within the overall policy response to COVID-19. Modeling results generated at an early stage of Rwanda’s pandemic experience indicated that relief and recovery measures introduced in 2020 could mitigate COVID-19′s recessionary effects by about 0.8 % points of total GDP, help to recover about 115,000 jobs and, through cash transfers, significantly reduce income losses among poorer households, with total benefits from the measures exceeded their cost by a ratio of 2.2. These results demonstrate the widely replicable value of economywide modeling when used in a timely manner and when positioned within a policymaking process.

Public Engagement in Health Policy-Making for Older Adults: A Systematic Search and Scoping Review.

As the world's population ages, there has been increasing attention to developing health policies to support older adults. Engaging older adults in policy-making is one way to ensure that policy decisions align with their needs and priorities. However, ageist stereotypes often underestimate older adults' ability to participate in such initiatives. This scoping review aims to describe the characteristics and impacts of public engagement initiatives designed to help inform health policy-making for older adults. A systematic search of peer-reviewed and grey literature (English only) describing public engagement initiatives in health policy-making for older adults was conducted using six electronic databases, Google and the Participedia website. No geographical, methodological or time restrictions were applied to the search. Eligibility criteria were purposefully broad to capture a wide array of relevant engagement initiatives. The outcomes of interest included participants, engagement methods and reported impacts. This review included 38 papers. The majority of public engagement initiatives were funded or initiated by governments or government agencies as a formal activity to address policy issues, compared to initiatives without a clear link to a specific policy-making process (e.g., research projects). While most initiatives engaged older adults as target participants, there was limited reporting on efforts to achieve participant diversity. Consultation-type engagement activities were most prevalent, compared to deliberative and collaborative approaches. Impacts of public engagement were frequently reported without formal evaluations. Notably, a few articles reported negative impacts of such initiatives. This review describes how public engagement practices have been conducted to help inform health policy-making for older adults and the documented impacts. The findings can assist policymakers, government staff, researchers and seniors' advocates in supporting the design and execution of public engagement initiatives in this policy sector. Older adult partners from the McMaster University Collaborative for Health and Aging provided strategic advice throughout the key phases of this review, including developing a review protocol, data charting and synthesis and interpreting and presenting the review findings. This collaborative partnership was an essential aspect of this review, enhancing its relevance and meaningfulness for older adults.

The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Staffing Levels in Philadelphia Nursing Homes: Disparities Based on the Racial Composition of Geographical Areas.

Research to assess and inform health policy is an essential component of the policymaking process to advance equity in public health practice. This study investigated health disparities during the COVID-19 pandemic (2020-2022) in older adult institutional settings in Philadelphia, PA, to inform policy initiatives, interventions, and infrastructure development. We first explored the changing patterns of nursing staffing levels (total direct care staff and registered nurses [RNs]) measured by hours per resident per day (HPRD) before and after COVID-19. Our findings revealed that HPRD levels consistently fell below the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services recommended standards from 2018 to 2022, with notable declines observed starting from 2021. Results from multilevel modeling showed significant declines in HPRD for total direct care nursing staff in nursing homes located in zip codes with a high proportion of Black residents (≥40%). In contrast, HPRD for RNs significantly declined in nursing homes located in zip codes with a lower proportion of Black residents (<40%). Moreover, higher reported direct care HPRD and RN HPRD were associated with any reported COVID-19 cases only within zip codes with a low proportion of Black residents. These findings indicate the need for additional policies to address these observed patterns in staffing levels. Our study provides a foundation for future policy reviews utilizing a conceptual framework that is health equity-centric for local and state health departments program and units intended for institutional care settings for older adults.

Liars know they are lying: differentiating disinformation from disagreement

Mis- and disinformation pose substantial societal challenges, and have thus become the focus of a substantive field of research. However, the field of misinformation research has recently come under scrutiny on two fronts. First, a political response has emerged, claiming that misinformation research aims to censor conservative voices. Second, some scholars have questioned the utility of misinformation research altogether, arguing that misinformation is not sufficiently identifiable or widespread to warrant much concern or action. Here, we rebut these claims. We contend that the spread of misinformation—and in particular willful disinformation—is demonstrably harmful to public health, evidence-informed policymaking, and democratic processes. We also show that disinformation and outright lies can often be identified and differ from good-faith political contestation. We conclude by showing how misinformation and disinformation can be at least partially mitigated using a variety of empirically validated, rights-preserving methods that do not involve censorship.

Can legislative majorities shape budgets? A comparative analysis of presidential systems in Latin America

AbstractIn separation of powers systems, in theory, legislative and executive branches must concur for policies to be enacted. However, empirical research, especially on Latin American cases, suggests that rather than reaching a compromise, it is common for the executive to make unilateral decisions, leaving the legislature marginalized in the policymaking process. Contrary to this trend, I argue that understanding important policy choices, including the national budget, requires considering the formal powers assigned to the president and the assembly, in interaction with their ideological divergence. Examining 12 presidential democracies for the past 20 years, I investigate the legislative majority's success in determining government expenditures under various policymaking institutions. I identify a number of institutional scenarios where legislative majorities are highly likely to succeed, while in other configurations, their success depends on their ideological divergence from the president.

Foundations and Applications in Political Theory: An Analytical Study

This study explores the practical applications of political theory, focusing on how fundamental principles are translated into real political actions within governance and decision-making contexts. The first section addresses the identification of core principles such as democracy, justice, equality, sovereignty, legitimacy, and rights, which serve as a theoretical framework for political systems and policy formulation. Each principle is examined in depth, highlighting its significance in shaping governance and social order. For instance, democracy emphasizes citizen participation and accountability, while justice relates to fairness and equitable distribution of resources. Various political scenarios where these principles are applied are discussed, including legislative debates, policy-making processes, electoral campaigns, diplomatic negotiations, and judicial rulings. Each scenario illustrates the practical implications of political theories, demonstrating how lawmakers, policymakers, and diplomats engage with these concepts to address societal issues, Furthermore, the study emphasizes the necessity of considering stakeholders&amp;apos; perspectives, including government officials, political parties, civil society organizations, interest groups, and citizens, in evaluating the effectiveness of political actions. Through a critical analysis of these applications, the study assesses the outcomes of political decisions and governance practices, focusing on their alignment with democratic values and the protection of individual rights. It also addresses challenges such as institutional barriers, conflicting interests, and resource constraints that hinder the realization of political ideals. Ultimately, the study offers recommendations to enhance the significance of political theory in contemporary political discourse, advocating for collaborative efforts between theorists and practitioners to ensure that theoretical ideas inform practical policymaking. This study underscores the vital role of political theory in understanding and addressing current political challenges, contributing to enlightened governance and social progress.

Critical Role of Sociology in Sustainable Development and Social Equity

This study examines the critical role of sociology in ensuring sustainable development within a nation. Despite the recognition of sustainable development's importance, the practical application of sociological insights remains underexplored, creating a significant knowledge gap. Utilizing a mixed-method approach, including qualitative analysis of policy documents and quantitative surveys of public attitudes, this research identifies key areas where sociology informs policy decisions, promotes social equity, and fosters community engagement for environmental protection. Findings reveal that sociological perspectives significantly impact the development and implementation of effective sustainability initiatives. Results highlight the necessity of integrating sociological insights with policymaking processes to address complex societal issues and achieve sustainable development. This study implies that greater collaboration between sociologists, policymakers, and community leaders is essential for navigating the challenges of a sustainable future.

Policy Control as a Strategy for Controlling Inherent Vices of Policy-Making

Policy makers face inherent vices in the policy-making process that can affect the outcomes of the policy process. While it is widely recognized in the literature that these vices lead to policy volatility, to date, virtually no attention has been paid to how these vices can be controlled. In the Netherlands, policy control was introduced as a mechanism to increase the likelihood of implementing effective policy by involving policy controllers at all stages of the policy process. This study shows that policy control can be an mechanism to control inherent vices.

Challenges and Opportunities in International Trade Policy Implementation: Insights from the Cameroonian Ministry of Trade

This study meticulously explores the intricate dynamics of Cameroon's trade policies, aiming to elucidate their current state, identify significant challenges, and propose strategic enhancements for more robust economic integration and growth. Against the backdrop of a globalized economy, Cameroon's trade policies play a crucial role in shaping its economic landscape. The research employed qualitative methodologies, including an extensive literature review of works published by various authors on the topic, to garner a comprehensive understanding of the policy environment. The findings reveal critical barriers such as infrastructural deficits, regulatory inefficiencies, and policy implementation challenges that impede effective trade operations. These obstacles not only hinder trade efficiency but also limit Cameroon's potential to capitalize on global market opportunities. The study concludes with several strategic recommendations: prioritizing infrastructure investment to alleviate logistical bottlenecks, streamlining regulatory frameworks to enhance transparency and reduce bureaucratic hurdles, and improving policy-making processes. These measures are designed to fortify Cameroon's trade policy framework, thereby enhancing its economic prospects and global trade integration. The research underscores the importance of a holistic, strategic approach to trade policy development, advocating for sustained, coordinated efforts among all relevant stakeholders. By addressing the identified challenges and leveraging highlighted opportunities, Cameroon can significantly improve its trade policy outcomes, fostering sustainable economic growth. Keywords: Trade Policy, Cameroon, Economic Integration, Regulatory Framework, Stakeholder Engagement, Infrastructure Investment.

From streets to parliament: understanding the mechanisms of protest impact on the policy-making process in the European Parliament’s TTIP debate

ABSTRACT Following years of intense protest, the negotiations for the TTIP agreement were declared ‘dead in the water’ by the end of 2016. Although there has been ample scholarly attention on how Civil Society Organisations were able to politicise the issue, there is little evidence on how this politicisation ultimately impacted the policy-making process for the trade agreement. Building on an analysis of over 500 parliamentary questions in conjunction with in-depth interviews with eight MEPs from five different political groups, I show that the anti-TTIP campaigns reframed the problem definition of the agreement which led to a lasting shift of its policy image and changed the stance of some policymakers. Further, the anti-TTIP protests contributed to the salience of TTIP among the public and subsequently changed policymakers’ perceptions of the attitudes of the public towards the proposed agreement. Finally, the protests created partisan as well as inter-institutional conflict on the issue.

Use of research evidence in U.S. federal policymaking: A reflexive report on intra-stage mixed methods

The policymaking process is largely opaque, especially regarding the actual writing of the policy. To attempt to better understand this complex process, we utilized mixed methods in our evaluation of an intervention. However, the process of mixing methods can be messy, and thus may require recalibration during the evaluation itself. Yet, in comparison to reporting results, relatively little attention is paid to the effects of mixing methods on the evaluation process. In this article, we take a reflexive approach to reporting a mixed methods evaluation of an intervention on the use of research evidence in U.S. federal policymaking. We focus on the research process in a qualitative coding team, and the effects of mixing methods on that process. Additionally, we report in general terms how to interpret multinomial logistic regressions, an underused analysis type applicable to many evaluations. Thus, this reflexive piece contributes (1) findings from evaluation of the intervention on the policymaking process, (2) an example of mixing methods leading to unexpected findings and future directions, (3) a report about the evaluation process itself, and (4) a tutorial for those new to multinomial logistic regressions.

Unveiling the Soil beyond Definitions: A Holistic Framework for Sub-Regional Soil Quality Assessment and Spatial Planning

The issue of land/soil consumption and degradation has been extensively explored in international literature, yet a universally accepted definition of soil quality remains elusive. Over the decades, the scientific community has witnessed the evolution of the concept of land/soil quality, with varying nuances across different disciplines. The absence of a shared definition poses challenges in addressing local concerns and preserving the distinctiveness and well-being of the soil. The present paper seeks to fill this gap from the spatial planning perspective by proposing a soil quality detection framework tailored for the sub-regional spatial context, offering support in particular for local planning decisions. The concept of soil quality is approached comprehensively, and the indicators put forth are selected based on specific soil functions, services, or threats. To support this all-encompassing approach through a case study in the Italian context, this paper suggests integrating 11 datasets and 55 indicators. This extensive dataset aims to quantify and generate meaningful cartographic representations, offering a multifaceted and detailed understanding of soil quality within the sub-regional context. The goal is to establish a framework that facilitates a more holistic understanding of soil quality, aiding in effective spatial planning and policy-making processes.

Desiring-futures in education policy: assemblage theory, artificial intelligence, and UNESCO’s futures of education

ABSTRACT The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) launched its Futures of Education policy initiative in early 2020. The process sought to open a sustained global policy debate on educational futures in a world typified by climatological instability, social inequity, and political unrest. Drawing on Deleuze and Guattari’s theory of assemblages, this paper explores how the Futures of Education initiative simultaneously produces, captures, and reroutes flows of desire by opening its policymaking process to global consultation. Following this line of thinking, the paper introduces a speculative method for critical policy analysis that utilises AI-powered tools to generate expressive images and imaginaries of education futures based on UNESCO’s three stages of policy development. The authors argue that this method enables a step beyond conventional interpretations of a policy’s discursive content toward a speculative analysis of its processual dynamics and expressive potentials. Ultimately, the paper underscores the generative possibilities of AI-assisted methods for tracking flows and expressions of desire within education policy assemblages under conditions of climatological and political upheaval. The authors encourage further experimentation with plugging emerging technologies into global policy assemblages to better understand how desire is invested into particular images and imaginaries of educational futures.

Mapping the meanings of inclusive education: a following the policy approach

ABSTRACT Over the past few decades, inclusive education has emerged as a transformative force in educational policies worldwide, and Argentina has been no exception, witnessing numerous inclusive education reforms over the past 30 years. This article examines through a ‘follow the policy’ approach what are the prevailing conceptions of inclusive education within Argentina’s policy-making processes. Drawing on Ball’s framework, this article employs a tripartite analysis that encompasses: A) the policy-framing, B) the policy-explanation, and C) the policy-forming. This approach delves into the period between 2010 and 2020, exploring how inclusive education policies as a moving target are translated, adopted, and resisted, providing a comprehensive understanding of the dynamics at play. Results show broad spaces of reinterpretation and translation throughout the policy cycle. In educational contexts with low accountability, inclusive education reforms appear to heavily rely on teachers, particularly their storylines, and their processes of reinterpretation and translation. Their pivotal role in implementing these reforms can significantly shape the outcomes and effectiveness of inclusive practices.

Explainable Artificial Intelligence Methods to Enhance Transparency and Trust in Digital Deliberation Settings

Digital deliberation has been steadily growing in recent years, enabling citizens from different geographical locations and diverse opinions and expertise to participate in policy-making processes. Software platforms aiming to support digital deliberation usually suffer from information overload, due to the large amount of feedback that is often provided. While Machine Learning and Natural Language Processing techniques can alleviate this drawback, their complex structure discourages users from trusting their results. This paper proposes two Explainable Artificial Intelligence models to enhance transparency and trust in the modus operandi of the above techniques, which concern the processes of clustering and summarization of citizens’ feedback that has been uploaded on a digital deliberation platform.