System Policy Makers Research Articles

Beyond the First Nations Voice to Parliament: Who “owns” the state?

AbstractIn 2023, Australian voters defeated a constitutional amendment to establish a First Nations' Voice to Parliament. This representative body would have been empowered to make representations to parliament and executive government. It was proposed by First Nations people as the first stage in a Voice, Treaty, Truth process of political and constitutional reform. As the implications of this defeat are considered, it is instructive to examine what lessons New Zealand's politics and policies of Māori self‐determination may contribute to local deliberations, including on the principles that could inform treaties such as those under consideration in the state of Victoria. The ongoing point of contention in both countries has profound implications for how and why policy is made, for whom and by whom. The point of contest is over who, in practical political terms, “owns” the state and, therefore, its policymaking systems? Are First Nations people shareholders in state authority, or should they reside always on its periphery? If not, what are the terms of their inclusion?

Housing Crisis in England: A Comparative Policy Paper on the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG)

The housing crisis in the UK is imperilling what Abraham Maslow described as a vital physiological necessity. This paper examines how the housing issue in the UK is complicated by the policy intricacy of The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) and the capability of the management and workforce to adapt to a changing political agenda, public administration and the current as well as the concomitant issues in the housing sector. It explores and focuses on core policy elements and how they impact the housing crisis. These policy factors include accountability and transparency, institution administration and style, network governance, data management and communication, strategic and policy-making systems and response to emerging agendas in public administration and governance. This study reveals the severity of the housing issue’s problems and offers important advice that will help remedy the UK’s housing quandary to accomplish this research objective, a mixed research approach was used, which helped in the presentation of findings that showed how the situation has affected the UK. Lastly, the study will assess the internal and exterior difficulties MHCLG faces in carrying out its duties and examine how it has responded to recent developments in governance.

The Iranian policy advisory system: Contained politicisation and emerging technicisation

AbstractA lot of literature on policy advisory systems (PASs) is based on Western liberal democracies, with scant attention paid to policymaking systems in authoritarian regimes. This paper examines the Iran's PAS and how it has changed between 1989 and 2023. The paper documents four distinctive phases in Iran's PAS: in‐house ‘institutionalisation’, transitional ‘politicisation’, technocratic ‘externalisation’, and ‘technicisation’. We examine 16 representative advisory organisations (1989–2023) and show that while the Iranian PAS is well institutionalised and increasingly becoming externalised, there is still a tradition of centralisation and limited bureaucratic openness. Further, Iran's PAS has become less political due to constitutional preferences preventing advisory organisations from dealing with politically sensitive issues, as well as the decline of political party traditions and institutions. Finally, the paper concludes with a discussion of the emerging ‘technicisation’ of Iran's PAS, indicating an expansion of and reliance on technology‐assisted tools and instruments by advisory organisations.Points for practitioners Regardless of differences in political systems, policy advisory systems are an indispensable part of public policymaking machinery. To enhance the quality of public policies, policymakers should support a diversified and competent advisory system. To keep externalised organisations alive and effective, they must be supported by public measures and protected by a legal framework. A form of technocratic‐political balance in PAS is necessary. A well‐developed policy advisory system not only includes non‐partisan and technocratic advisory institutions, it also consists of politicised institutions providing political advice for policymakers too.

Setting S&T perspective priorities in an era of complexity and uncertainty: a case for megacities

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to create a methodological approach for identifying priority areas for science and technology (S&T) development and its empirical application within the city of Moscow. This research uncovers a wide range of multicultural and multidisciplinary global trends that will affect the development of major cities in an era of complexity and uncertainty, including the inherent complexity of urban contexts, demographic and socioeconomic trends, as well as scientific and ecological factors.Design/methodology/approachThe methodological approach is based on classic foresight instruments. Its novelty lays in the blending of qualitative and quantitative methods specially selected as the most appropriate for the identification of S&T areas in an era of complexity and uncertainty, including horizon scanning, bibliometric analysis, expert surveys and the construction of composite indexes with respect to the scope and resources of the research and the selected object for empirical application – Moscow, which is one of the world’s largest megacities. The analysis was performed for the period of 2009–2018 and expert procedures took place in 2019.FindingsAs a result, 25 global trends were identified, evaluated and discussed over the course of an expert survey and subsequent expert events. Ten priority areas of S&T development were determined, including 62 technological sub-areas within them and the most important market niches for all identified technological sub-areas, which could be useful for the world’s megacities. The results of this study are illustrated using the construction sector. Based on the conducted research and results, a list of recommendations on S&T policy measures and instruments were suggested, including the creation of the Moscow Innovation Cluster, which by the end of 2023 contained more than 6,000 projects and initiatives, selected using the findings of this investigation.Originality/valueThis research contributes to the existing literature and research agenda of setting priorities for S&T development and shows how it can be done for a megacity. The blended foresight methodology that was created within the study satisfies the criteria of scientific originality, is repeatable for any interested researcher, is applicable to any other city in the world and demonstrates its high efficiency in empirical application. It could be used for creating new agenda items in S&T policy, setting S&T priorities for a megacity and integrating the results into decision-making processes. This study provides recommendations on the further implementation of the designed methodology and results into a policymaking system. Moreover, the example of the Moscow Innovation Cluster, which was created based on the results of our research, demonstrates these recommendations’ practical significance in real life, which is quite valuable. The limitation of this study is that it is not devoted to urban planning issues directly or the promotion of R&D areas; it is about setting promising S&T priorities in an era of complexity and uncertainty for megacities.

An institutional approach to analyze the multi-level policymaking system of online social networks: a case study of Iran

PurposeThis study aims to elucidate institutional analysis as an effective approach to investigating and designing the multilevel policymaking system of online social networks (OSN) for achieving a participatory model.Design/methodology/approachThe institutional mapping approach has been used to analyze Iran’s OSN multilevel policymaking system. A combination of two matrices, including institutions-institutions and institutions-functions, was used to perform the institutional mapping. Two main steps were taken to draw the mentioned matrices. First, a review of related studies in Iran’s OSN policymaking system was conducted and the policy functions mentioned in these studies were identified and categorized using the meta-synthesis. Second, based on analyzing two policy documents of Iran’s OSN, institutions and their interactions were identified and policy functions were allocated to institutions.FindingsBased on the results, the most important policy functions in the current OSN policymaking system in Iran are support, regulatory, monitoring and evaluation, business environment development, culture building and promotion, organizing licenses and permissions, policymaking and legislation. Also, the results show that there are shortcomings in this system, some of the most important of which are lack of transparency in regulatory, little work in culture building and promotion, neglect of the training of specialized human resources and research and development, slow development of the business environment and neglecting the role of nongovernmental organizations in policymaking.Originality/valueBy examining and analyzing how different institutions operate within a multilevel policymaking system, the policymaking process and its overall effectiveness can be enhanced. This analysis helps identify any inconsistencies, overlaps or conflicts in the roles and policies of these institutions, leading to a better understanding of how a multilevel policymaking system is organized.

Confirmatory factor analysis of the positive factors influencing the performance of Ghanaian construction projects

Purpose This paper aims to identify the unidimensionality and reliability of 84 factors that influence the performance of construction projects and develop a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) model. Design/methodology/approach The study adopted a deductive research approach and started by identifying the positive factors that influence construction project performance. This was followed by the modification of the identified factors. After that, a questionnaire was developed out of the factors for data collection. Exploratory factor analysis was used to establish the factor structure of the positive factors, and this was verified using CFA afterwards. A model fit analysis was performed to determine the goodness of fit of the hypothesised model, followed by the development of the confirmatory model. Findings The study demonstrated substantial correlation in the data, sufficient unidimensionality and internal reliability. In addition, the estimated fit indices suggested that the postulated model adequately described the sample data. Practical implications The paper revealed that performance can be enhanced if stakeholders identify and leverage the positive factors influencing performance. The paper suggests that project stakeholders, particularly government, project owners, consultants and construction firms, can improve project performance by critically examining economic and financial systems (EFS), regulation and policy-making systems (RPS), effective management practices (EMP) and project implementation strategies (PIS). Originality/value The contribution of this paper to the present literature is identifying the positive factors and developing the confirmatory factor model. The model comprised 42 positive variables under four indicators: EMP, RPS, PIS and EFS.

What Can We Do to Improve the Health Policy-Making Cycle in the Islamic Republic of Iran with a Good Governance Approach? Recommendations for the Secretariat of the Supreme Council for Health and Food Security

Background: The primary purpose of the health system is to promote equitable health in society. The aim of this study is to offer some recommendations for improving the Iranian health policy-making cycle with a good governance approach.
 Methods: The systematic review approach was employed to undertake this research. To track down articles published electronically between 2010 and 2021, a comprehensive search in the National Library's English databases, in December 2021, was conducted using the keywords such as public policy, policy, policy-making, health policy, good governance, health, and healthcare. In addition, the Persian equivalents of the aforementioned keywords were searched separately or in combination with Boolean operators (OR, AND) in databases such as Scopus, Ovid, Science Direct, Web of Knowledge, PubMed, IranMedex, Magiran, and SID to further pinpoint the desired articles. To evaluate and validate the quality of the selected articles, critical tools appropriate for the type of study were utilized (e.g., the SRQR tool for qualitative studies and the MMAT tool for mixed-methods studies), and finally, the research team conducted content analysis and categorized the findings.
 Results: Findings revealed that the health policy-making cycle is an extensive and intra-sectoral concern. Good governance in the health system results in specialized and individualized opportunities for better health and reduces inequality. To accomplish this purpose, it is necessary to emphasize cross-sectoral participation, social responsiveness, and transparent processes, and incorporate the viewpoints of experts and implementers of the health policy-making system. Furthermore, the health system's sovereignty and progress toward good governance should be evaluated, which results in effective policies and health justice.
 Conclusion: Considering the legal mission of the Supreme Council of Health and Food Security (the highest policy-making authority in the Ministry of Health), it is recommended that the council implement the practical recommendations of this research in actualizing and incorporating the good governance approach into the health policy-making cycle.

Sustainable Water Policymaking for the Hotel Industry: A Longitudinal Network Analysis of Policy Documents

Safeguarding water resources in tourism contributes to the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and to the wider 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. However, sustainable management of water, in order to address both current and future demand for water resources in an equitable and environmentally sound manner, is one of the most significant challenges faced by tourist destinations. Using a case study approach, this research conducts a social network analysis (SNA) of the water policymaking system of Singapore’s hotel industry by longitudinally examining the structure of relations among policy themes and policy stakeholders. The network approach attempts to examine the structural evolution in the water demand management (WDM) policy network based on an analysis of 329 (co)produced policy documents (2001–2020) available in the public domain. A broad range of policy themes, together with divergent policy stakeholders, are uncovered in this interconnected dynamic policy system. Subsequently, systematic policy research is extended to discuss the interrelationships of policy stakeholders and policy themes over the past 20 years. Our findings highlight the network structure of the policy domain and suggest an openness and vibrancy of sustainable WDM as an interdisciplinary policy domain. Cross-sectoral stakeholder engagement has contributed to the evolution and complexity of the policy theme network. The study’s findings provide significant insights into the relationships of policy actors and the evolving network structure of a multidimensional policy framework.

Using System Dynamics to Understand Transnational Corporate Power in Diet-Related Non-communicable Disease Prevention Policy-Making: A Case Study of South Africa.

Complex interactions between political economy factors and corporate power are increasingly recognized to prevent transformative policy action on non-communicable disease (NCD) prevention. System science offers promising methods for analysing such causal complexity. This study uses qualitative system dynamics methods to map the political economy of diet-related NCD (DR-NCD) prevention policy-making aiming to better understand the policy inertia observed in this area globally. We interviewed 25 key policy actors. We analysed the interviews using purposive text analysis (PTA). We developed individual then combined casual loop diagrams to generate a shared model representing the DR-NCD prevention policy-making system. Key variables/linkages identified from the literature were also included in the model. We validated the model in several steps including through stakeholder validation interviews. We identified several inter-linked feedback processes related to political economy factors that may entrench different forms of corporate power (instrumental, structural, and discursive) in DR-NCD prevention policy-making in South Africa over time. We also identified a number of feedback processes that have the potential to limit corporate power in this setting. Using complex system methods can be useful for more deeply understanding DR-NCD policy inertia. It is also useful for identifying potential leverage points within the system which may shift the existing power dynamics to facilitate greater political commitment for healthy, equitable, and sustainable food system transformation.

Risks for Knowledge-uptake in Dutch Marine Spatial Planning: Incompatibilities Between Research and Policy-making

The rapid increase of Offshore Wind Farm (OWF) development in the North-Sea occurs under serious uncertainty, partly due to knowledge gaps concerning the North-Sea’s socio-ecological system. The situation is particularly urgent in the Netherlands due to the intense use of its maritime zone and related conflicts among stakeholders. Optimising the placement of OWFs requires the uptake of multidisciplinary knowledge in Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) policy through ongoing adaptation of policies to new knowledge. Currently, knowledge-uptake from research into policy is widely mentioned as a challenge for MSP, but knowledge management theory has hardly been applied to it. To be useful in the multidisciplinary environment of MSP, a common language about knowledge is needed to allow for cooperation between scientific disciplines and policy sectors. However, many risks exist that may hinder knowledge-uptake between research and policy-making. This thinking-gap between research and policy-making is recognised in many fields. However, MSP and relevant knowledge about the North-Sea is rapidly developing and understudied. This results in a high pressure and dynamic situation in a developing field which can be an insightful case to apply knowledge-management theory and provide new insights for scholars of MSP. This study focuses on risks for knowledge uptake that derive from incompatibilities between researchers and policy-makers in the use and development of knowledge within the context of OWF development and MSP. These incompatibilities range from differing timeframes and uses of data to more fundamental differences in roles between researchers desiring to understand the world, and policy-makers desiring to change it. Characteristics of MSP, such as the high political pressure and relative pioneering practice of MSP may exacerbate the impact of such incompatibilities. Notably, MSP may suffer from a focus on short-term policy-making, limited cumulative understanding and fragmentation in policy. The aim of this article is to consider the effect of incompatibilities between systems of research and policy-making on knowledge-uptake in Dutch MSP and how these may be exacerbated by characteristics of MSP. Using knowledge-management literature, a list of potential incompatibilities between systems of research and policy-making is drawn. Data was collected by means of document analysis, in-depth interviews with researchers and policy-makers, and observations of policy workshops, consortium meetings, and focus groups. Findings suggest that risks to knowledge-uptake are partially caused by the incompatibilities between research and policy-making and that the context of MSP exacerbates these incompatibilities in most instances. Simultaneously, some instances were found where MSP can actually help to decrease differences between researchers and policy-makers. However, the incompatibilities between researchers and policy-makers are so enduring that risks to knowledge-uptake still persist. Better joint understanding and recognition of differences between research and policy-making are required to limit the negative effect of incompatibilities between research and policy-making on knowledge uptake.

Blood-Based Biomarkers in Traumatic Brain Injury: A Narrative Review With Implications for the Legal System.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is an increasingly recognized diagnosis with significant, and often costly, associated consequences. Yet, despite their increased recognition, TBIs remain underdiagnosed. This issue is especially prominent in the context of mild TBI (mTBI), where there often exists little to no objective evidence of brain injury. In recent years, considerable effort has been made to better define and interpret known objective markers of TBI, as well as identify and explore new ones. An area of particular interest has focused on research related to blood-based biomarkers of TBI. Advancements in our understanding of TBI-related biomarkers can make it possible to characterize the severity of TBI with greater accuracy, improve our understanding of staging within both the injury process and the recovery process, and help us develop quantifiable metrics representative of reversal and recovery from a brain injury following trauma. Proteomic and non-proteomic blood-based biomarkers are being studied extensively and have shown promise for these purposes. Developments in this realm have significant implications not only for clinical care but also for legislation, as well as civil and criminal litigation. Despite their substantial potential, most of these biomarkers are not yet ready for use within the clinical setting, and therefore, are not appropriate for use within the legal or policy-making systems at this time. Given that existing standardization for the accurate and reliable use of TBI biomarkers is currently insufficient for use within either the clinical or legal realms, such data can be vulnerable to misuse and can even result in the abuse of the legal system for unwarranted gain. Courts will need to carefully evaluate the information presented in their role as gatekeepers of the admissibility of scientific evidence within the legal process. Ultimately, the development of biomarkers should lead to improved clinical care following TBI exposure, coherent and informed laws surrounding TBI, and more accurate and just results in litigation surrounding TBI-related sequelae.

정직한 중개인(honest broker)으로서 과학 자문

Politics or policy-making(administration) system tends to transfer decision-making functions to science in modern societies with increasing uncertain complexity. This tendency confines scientific discussion in extreme polarisation, which is tightly coupled to political win-lose. As science is more tightly coupled to politics and policy, the degree of freedom for each system is lowered, narrowing the room where policy alternatives are discussed and compromised. Under this analysis, the research proposes the honest broker model as an appropriate role model for scientific advisors in a modern society where uncertainty and value conflicts are growing. Scientific advisors do not prepare a single policy answer but rather present a variety of feasible scenarios and multiple policy alternatives within the scope of uncertainty. For scientific advisory to function as an honest intermediary, certain normative principles such as accountability separation between policy-making and scientific advisory system, transparency, diversity and openness should be established first. Finally, this paper attempts to apply the theoretical discussions to an institutional reformation of the current National Clinical Committee for Infectious Diseases. In this regard, the most urgent issue in the future is to institutionalize the science advice process. Such institutional settings enhance the influence of scientific advisory on policy while preventing the situation in which scientists are accused of political or legal responsibility for policy failure.

Analysis of Promoting and Hindering Factors for Implementation of Medical Tourism Policies: Case Study in Golestan Province

Background: Medical tourism as a money-making industry in the world has led to the increasing competition of countries to attract the maximum number of tourists. Considering the growing international competition in this field, in order to properly utilize the capabilities of Golestan province, this research was conducted with the aim of analysis and explaining the dimensions and components that promote and hinder the implementation of medical tourism policies in Golestan province.
 Methods: This research was conducted using the qualitative method based on the Grounded theory in 2020. Data collection was conducted through in-depth and semi-structured interviews. The research population included experts such as managers and faculty members of the university of medical sciences and public and private hospitals, managers and officials of the General Office of Cultural Heritage and Tourism, and travel agencies, doctors and nurses with at least 5 years of relevant work experience and expertise in the field of medical tourism. Purposive sampling was done and continued until data saturation. Finally, 13 people were interviewed. Data analysis was done simultaneously with data collection through Open, Axial and Selective coding and MaxQDA 2020 software.
 Results: The findings of the present study showed that the promoting and hindering factors for the implementation of medical tourism policies in Golestan province were categorized in the form of 263 codes, 65 concepts, 9 subcategories and 5 main categories. They consisted of climatic and environmental attractions, organizational architecture, policymaking system, capacity development and service quality and strategic management.
 Conclusion: Using the results of this study, the policymakers of medical tourism in Golestan province can predict the appropriate implementation instrument regarding the policy-making process to develop medical tourism, income and business in Golestan province.

Analysis of the Consequences of Political Networking in the Policy-making System (Case study: Governmental Organizations of Lorestan Province)

هدف: پژوهش حاضر با هدف تحلیل و بررسی پیامدهای شبکه‌سازی سیاسی در نظام سیاست‌گذاری در سازمان‌های دولتی استان لرستان انجام پذیرفت.طراحی/ روش‌­شناسی/ رویکرد : پژوهش حاضر دارای رویکردی آمیخته است که از نظر هدف، کاربردی و حیث ماهیت و روش، توصیفی پیمایشی است. مشارکت‌کنندگان پژوهش را مدیران سازمان‌های دولتی در استان لرستان تشکیل می­‌دهند که با استفاده از اصل کفایت نظری و روش نمونه­‌گیری هدفمند 16 نفر از آنان به عنوان اعضای نمونه انتخاب شدند. در بخش کیفی پژوهش برای گردآوری داده از مصاحبه نیمه‌ساختاریافته بهره گرفته شد که روایی و پایایی آن به ترتیب با استفاده از ضریب CVR و آزمون کاپای کوهن تأیید گردید و داده­‌های به‌دست ‌آمده از مصاحبه با استفاده از نرم‌­افزار Atlas.ti و روش کدگذاری تحلیل و پیامدهای شبکه‌­سازی ­سیاسی در نظام سیاست‌گذاری شناسایی شد. از طرفی در بخش کمی برای گردآوری اطلاعات از پرسشنامه استفاده شد که روایی و پایایی آن با استفاده از روایی محتوا و نرخ ناسازگاری مورد تأیید قرار گرفت.یافته‌­های پژوهش: یافته‌­های بخش کیفی حکایت از آن دارد که شانزده عامل به عنوان پیامدهای شبکه‌­سازی سیاسی شناسایی شد. همچنین یافته­‌های بخش کمی اولویت‌بندی و تشخیص میزان درجه اهمیت پیامدهای شبکه­‌سازی سیاسی در نظام سیاست‌گذاری با استفاده از رویکرد دلفی فازی می­‌باشد.محدودیت­‌ها و پیامدها: مغفول ماندن شبکه‌سازی سیاسی به‌خصوص در پژوهش‌­های داخلی، پژوهش حاضر را بر آن داشت تا خلأ نظری و مفهومی پیش گفته را کاهش دهد.پیامدهای عملی: شبکه­‌سازی سیاسی این قابلیت را دارد که با تزریق راهبردها و سیاست‌های نوین، سیاست‌گذاری در شرایط پیچیده را تسهیل نماید.ابتکار یا ارزش مقاله: این پژوهش پیامدهای شبکه‌­سازی سیاسی را با روشی که تاکنون به‌کار گرفته نشده است مورد تحلیل قرار داده که این امر مفهومی کامل‌تر از آن را ارائه می‌دهد.نوع مقاله: پژوهشی

Evaluation and evaluation of public policy in the Islamic Republic of Iran based on the theory of good governance

Public policy is a phenomenon that appears in the form of a government program in a section of society or a geographic space. Good governance is also a paradigm for changing the role and function of the state, and it can be used as a pretext for confronting the challenges facing the government, the empowerment of the state, and the participation and satisfaction of citizens. The main purpose of this study is to review and evaluate public policy in Iran based on the theory of good governance. The research method of the library type and the results of analyzes have shown that the Islamic Republic of Iran's system of public policy based on the indicators of good governance has not been successful and has had some problems in its implementation. Of course, there are different capacities such as the constitution, the 20-year perspective, and even development plans to guide the policy-making system towards a good governance pattern, which, by communicating the general policy of the administrative system and, recently, the general policies of the resilient economy of the processes and processes of the strategic and A strategy has been designed to move towards a good governance model.

Humanitarian policymaking as networked governance: social network analysis of the Global Compact on Refugees

Humanitarian policymaking is a form of ‘networked governance,’ involving many different stakeholders working in parallel to influence each other and to shape policy agendas. This article uses social network analysis (SNA), a research technique used to understand complex structures of relations between stakeholders, to begin to understand policymaking from this networked governance perspective. To do so, we examine one of the most significant refugee policy processes in recent history, the 2016–2018 efforts to formulate and adopt the Global Compact on Refugees (GCR). Starting with the policy network of one stakeholder involved in GCR, the Joint Learning Initiative on Faith and Local Community, we survey 24 representatives of organizations involved in the GCR policymaking process. In doing so, we identify the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, World Vision, and the International Council of Voluntary Agencies as three influential stakeholders in this network of mostly international NGOs. We note limited engagement of local and private sector actors but argue that this may or may not be problematic from a perspective of networked governance and equity. Through examining the Joint Learning Initiative policy network, this article offers new evidence concerning who is influential in international refugee policymaking space and contributes to an understanding of humanitarian action as a networked governance enterprise. We also show, as proof of concept, the ways SNA can be used to gain an understanding of the dynamics of policymaking systems and the patterns of influence within them.

A new PASS approach for tourism policymaking against COVID-19: learning from China’s experiences at early stages of the pandemic

ABSTRACT The COVID-19 pandemic has caused unprecedented and far-reaching impacts on the tourism industry worldwide. To fight against COVID-19 while maintaining economic development, China has adopted its unique policymaking system and made certain achievements in preventing the pandemic and promoting the recovery of domestic tourism, which may have reference values to other countries. By collecting the national-level tourism policies on COVID-19 in China and analyzing the connections between the keywords of these policies, this study conceptually proposes a new PASS (P: Pause-promote; A: Avoid-alternate; S: Supervise-stabilize; S: Support-sustain) approach for comprehensive and seamless policymaking for the public health crisis management in the tourism context. Even though the new PASS is derived based on China’s pandemic policymaking experiences, its general values are well supported by the practices in other countries. Policy recommendations from perspectives of key stakeholders are summarized. Policymaking challenges are finally discussed.

The characteristics of Xi Jinping’s policy-making on Taiwan affairs: the conflict between institutionalization and centralization

ABSTRACT This study focuses on the characteristics and institutions of the Xi Jinping regime’s policy-making on Taiwan affairs and compares them to those of the Jiang Zemin and Hu Jintao regimes. The study examines how factors such as changes in leadership, the domestic and international environment, and Cross-Strait relations have affected the policy-making processes and their mutual relations. The following three points are made. First, the operation of the People Republic of China’s (PRC) policy-making on Taiwan affairs strongly reflects the leader’s personality and domestic political situation at the time. Second, on the other hand, the process of the PRC’s policy-making on Taiwan affairs is not only influenced by internal factors such as the personality of the leader and the internal political situation but also by the current status of the Cross-Strait relations and internal politics in Taiwan at the time. Third, since the Hu Jintao regime, the role of local governments in the PRC’s policy toward Taiwan has increased, and the role of the local Taiwan affairs policy-making system has been polarized under Xi Jinping’s rule. Considering these trends, the situation emerges that Xi Jinping’s authority over the CCP’s policy-making on Taiwan affairs is becoming more vital than ever. With the official channels of negotiation with Taiwan closed and the means available for “promoting reunification” limited, Xi Jinping is using the centralized policy-making system to develop policies that require a higher level of leadership than Hu Jintao’s policies toward Taiwan.

Is the Aotearoa New Zealand Policy Process: fit for purpose?

New Zealand is generally thought to be well governed by international standards, with low levels of corruption, innovative policies in some sectors, and high levels of trust in the system of government. But all is not well in the public policymaking system. Rather, the system resembles an endless conveyor belt of unsolved, or partially solved, policy problems that have a tendency over time to become bigger ‘crises’. Effective public policymaking is hard and policy ‘stuff-ups’ happen worldwide. But New Zealanders should not accept policy failures as a fact of life. Our central thesis is that, via a series of reforms, the policymaking process could become much more effective in achieving successful policy outcomes.

Politicization of civil service Japanese-style: politico-bureaucratic relations under Prime Minister Shinzo Abe (2012–2020)

ABSTRACT Japan’s politico-bureaucratic relations were substantially reshaped during LDP Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s tenure of 2012–2020. Politicization of the civil service promptly progressed, making traditionally independent-minded bureaucrats visibly more submissive to politicians’ commands. This decline of bureaucratic clout happened by design as the result of major institutional reforms promoted by reformers since the 1990s. This article analyzes the forms of politicization under the Abe administration, finding that Japanese bureaucratic institutions and broader political environments made its style unique, including the birth of a new breed of bureaucrats known as ‘kantei kanryo.’ It is also pointed out that while politicization is overall a desirable development to make Japanese policy-making more responsive to shifting societal demands, the current way of politicization causes unwanted by-products also: increased risks of corruption, distortions in bureaucratic organizational behavior, and the lowering of civil servants’ morale. Further, it is argued that with the virtual absence of the possibility of ruling-party changes, the loss of bureaucratic autonomy results in the lessening of the policy-making system’s ability to scrutinize the cabinet’s policies critically.