Making Economic Adjustment Work: The Politics of Policy Implementation

In: Policy sciences: integrating knowledge and practice to advance human dignity ; the journal of the Society of Policy Scientists, Band 22, Heft 3 -- 4, S. 359-394

Abstract

Successful political management of economic policy is examined & a framework to identify winners & losers of policy shifts presented. The framework is applied in analyzing stabilization & structural adjustment policies in Costa Rica, Panama, & Guatemala. Several conclusions are presented, including: (1) Governments that inherited crises received more public support than did those experiencing economic collapse during their time in office. (2) Rapid action to address economic problems produced more successful results. (3) Initial success was crucial in creating support for later policies. An image of commitment to consistent long-term policies was critical to maintaining public support. 7 Tables, 35 References. D. Generoli