Introduction to governance and public policy

Timetable

Module aim (aims)

Throughout the course, we will learn how public institutions shape their policies to better understand how to adapt to the challenges of the digital economy. We will identify and discuss the relationship between interests, ideas and institutions in a policy process. Part of our sessions will be covered by the flipped classroom method, so you will be equipped with various videos and podcasts that will help you to heightened awareness of the problems and solutions generated for public policy.

By the end of this course students should be able to:

• identify and explain the relationship between interests, ideas, and institutions in a policy process
• clearly articulate and frame a policy issue in a way that calls attention to it and mobilizes action
• develop the competence to identify the key stakeholders on an issue
• develop capacity to evaluate and recommend a policy response to a specific policy problem using criteria of effectiveness, efficiency, and political feasibility

Aims of this course:

• provide knowledge about political and social relations and its implications for social and economic arrangement in contemporary democracies
• provide an understanding of the key theories, models, and frameworks used in governance and public policy analysis
• help to develop critical thinking skills by analyzing and evaluating different policy proposals and their impact on society
• develop research skills to conduct policy analysis, policy evaluation, and policy advocacy
• prepare for algorithmic governance courses

Pre-requisites in terms of knowledge, skills and social competences (where relevant)

Syllabus

Reading list

Araral Jr. E., Fritzen S., Howlett M., Ramesh M., Wu X. (2013). Routledge Handbook of Public Policy, Routledge.

Bevir M. (2012). Governance. Very Short Introduction. Oxford University Press.

Bevir M. (2013). A Theory of Governance. University of California Press.

Boonin D. ed. (2018). The Palgrave Handbook of Philosophy and Public Policy, Palgrave Macmillan.

Dodds A. (2013). Comparative Public Policy. Palgrave Macmillan.

Dunleavy P., Margetts H. (2013). The second wave of digital-era governance: a quasi-paradigm for government on the Web, “Philosophical Transactions of The Royal Society A”.

Guy Peter B., Pierre J. eds. (2004). Politicization of the Civil Service in Comparative Perspective. The Quest for Control. Routledge.

Goodin R.E., Moran M., Rein M. eds. (2006). The Oxford Handbook of Public Policy. Oxford University Press.

Hay C. (2002). Political Analysis. Palgrave.

Kraft M.E., Furlong S.R. (2017). Public Policy: Politics, Analysis, and Alternatives. Sith edition. Sage-CQ Press.

Milakovich M.E. (2012). Digital Governance. New Technologies for Improving Public Service and Participation. Routledge.

Offe, C. (2009), Governance: An “Empty Signifier”?. Constellations, 16: 550-562. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-8675.2009.00570.x