Suchergebnisse

The author considers the rationale for public consultation -- identifying some of its innovative devices as well as some of its problems -- & its impact on policy making, arguing that this particular approach moves away from elitism. The paper also addresses the impact of public opinion polling in public policy & explores factors that influence the values & opinions held by the public. References. D. Miller

Examines the impact of social movement organizations (SMOs) & interest groups on public policy, arguing that their influence is constrained by electoral competition & limits on the ability of citizens/legislators to address multiple issues at the same time. Legislators pay attention to the wishes of the majority of their constituents, & SMOs cannot have a direct impact on policy if they are in conflict with the majority over issues the public cares about. However, SMOs can directly influence policy on issues the public is not particularly interested in, & indirectly influence policy by relating information to elected officials & administrative agencies, as well as by working to change the public's policy preferences or the intensity of their concerns. An examination of the activities of SMOs & interest groups in the context of theories of democracy leads to the conclusion that there is no theoretical justification for distinguishing between them; hence, their abilities to impact public policy are roughly the same. J. Lindroth

Examines the purpose & influence of think tanks in public policy making in Canada, particularly during the constitutional conferences of 1992. The background information on the events leading up to the creation of the constitutional conferences provides context to the involvement of think tanks in the debate. The characteristics & roles of think tanks, including their functions & efforts to reach certain audiences, are scrutinized. The impact of think tanks on public policy is assessed. L. Collins Leigh

The author presents a case study on the way the UK government handled BSE, with a specific focus on the problems that resulted due to scientific uncertainties that accompanied the attempt to formulate a response to this outbreak. References. D. Miller

"This chapter deals with public understanding of uncertainty in climate science and policy taking a closer look at how laypeople perceive and make sense of the non-knowledge about the topic. Based on original research with Swedish focus groups, among others, the authors conclude that the uncertainty about causes and consequences might not be the most pressing issues. Rather they see that the questions regarding the individual responsibility to mitigate climate change and the effectiveness of responses to climate change can be even more confusing. An implication for global change management would be to address more systematically the blindspots related to effectiveness of policies and measures tackling climate change." (author's abstract)

Explores whether public opinion actually influences US foreign policy. Research has shown that policymakers sometimes make decisions based on misperceptions of public opinion. A research project was conducted to link US foreign policy in the 1990s with public opinion trends. Such policies as the disengagement from foreign affairs, closing US embassies, cutting foreign aid, failing to pay UN dues, & resisting cooperation in peacekeeping operations, while keeping defense spending high was thought to be the result of public opinion. Eighty-three members of the foreign policy community, including members of Congress & executive-branch officials, journalists, & members of nongovernmental organizations, were interviewed concerning their perceptions of public attitudes concerning the US role in foreign affairs. Existing polling data were then reviewed to determine whether policymakers had correctly understood public opinion. A substantial gap in perception & reality was discovered. The book, Misreading the Public: The Myth of a New Isolationism (Kull & Destler 1999) gives a thorough analysis of this study. L. A. Hoffman

Das Management der menschlichen Entwicklung und der Kulturwandel werden als eine bedeutsame Richtung der Förderung der öffentlichen Verwaltung in den Entwicklungsländern dargestellt. Dabei wird eine Entwicklung intendiert, die den Einzelnen in einen politisch engagierten Bürgers mit entsprechenden Wahrnehmungs-, Orientierungs- und Handlungsmustern verwandelt. Vor diesem Hintergrund werden die dauerhafte Notsituation als bürokratischer Kontext und der Zusammenhang zwischen kultureller Kompetenz und Förderung der Handlungsfähigkeit analysiert. Die allgemeinen Vorstellungen zur Entwicklung der Bürgerkultur werden durch den lateinamerikanischen Kontext relativiert. Dabei werden wirtschafts- und sozialstatistische sowie demographische Daten über die Region erläutert und die Herausforderungen durch die dauerhaften Notsituationen als ein wesentliches Merkmal der intendierten kulturellen Entwicklung präsentiert. (ICG). Die Untersuchung enthält quantitative Daten.