lOMoARcPSD|19695644
POLI-D311 - Introduction to Public Policy Analysis and
Administration
Introduction à l'étude des politiques publiques (Université Libre de Bruxelles)
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, lOMoARcPSD|19695644
POLI-D311 - Introduction to Public Policy Analysis and
Administration
1. Introduction and Public Policy definition
1.1. A fully-fledged field of knowledge
Political systems and comparative policy :
The organisation of powers and their exercise within a given political entity
Political philosophy and political theory :
A philosophical study of power and government, addressing questions about the
nature, ethics and legitimacy of political institutions
International relations :
Major issues within the international system : the role of States, international
organisations, NGOs and multinational companies
Political sociology :
The way in which public authorities and society interact and influence each other :
public action, elections, voting, social movements…
Public policy and Public Administration :
Decisions taken by governments and other political actors to solve specific problem or
achieve specific goals in society
1
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, lOMoARcPSD|19695644
1.2. Distinction between politics, polity and policy
Politics :
It refers to the activities, coalitions, and conflicts involved in decision-making and the
distribution of power within a society
Power struggles that occur both within the States and society across various arenas,
including : debates, negotiations, electoral campaigns, protests and wars
Polity :
The political structure or system of an entity, whether a state, a nation or a political
organisation
The institutions, rules, laws and standards that govern the functioning of the
State and society
Including issues of sovereignty, citizenship and rights, as well as the principles that
define the form of government
Policy :
Decisions taken by governments and other political actors to solve specific problems
or achieve goals in society
It is the concrete result of political and choices made by government authorities
Specific policies implemented by the State to resolve social, economic or political
problems
Government in action
2
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, lOMoARcPSD|19695644
1.3. The origins of the study of PP
In the 1900, government spending was modest (8% of GDP) : healthcare, education, defence
and welfare
Over a century later, 37% of GDP
Increasing need for :
Understand the reasons for and impact of the growth in public sector activity in many
countries
Developing the knowledge needed to manage ambitious economic and social programs
after WWII
Going beyond normative and legal explanations of government functioning : legal
operation of public institutions ; political philosophy
Gap between normative political theory and actual political practice
3
messages.downloaded_by
POLI-D311 - Introduction to Public Policy Analysis and
Administration
Introduction à l'étude des politiques publiques (Université Libre de Bruxelles)
messages.pdf_cover_qr_code_label
messages.studocu_not_sponsored_or_endorsed_by_college
messages.downloaded_by
, lOMoARcPSD|19695644
POLI-D311 - Introduction to Public Policy Analysis and
Administration
1. Introduction and Public Policy definition
1.1. A fully-fledged field of knowledge
Political systems and comparative policy :
The organisation of powers and their exercise within a given political entity
Political philosophy and political theory :
A philosophical study of power and government, addressing questions about the
nature, ethics and legitimacy of political institutions
International relations :
Major issues within the international system : the role of States, international
organisations, NGOs and multinational companies
Political sociology :
The way in which public authorities and society interact and influence each other :
public action, elections, voting, social movements…
Public policy and Public Administration :
Decisions taken by governments and other political actors to solve specific problem or
achieve specific goals in society
1
messages.downloaded_by
, lOMoARcPSD|19695644
1.2. Distinction between politics, polity and policy
Politics :
It refers to the activities, coalitions, and conflicts involved in decision-making and the
distribution of power within a society
Power struggles that occur both within the States and society across various arenas,
including : debates, negotiations, electoral campaigns, protests and wars
Polity :
The political structure or system of an entity, whether a state, a nation or a political
organisation
The institutions, rules, laws and standards that govern the functioning of the
State and society
Including issues of sovereignty, citizenship and rights, as well as the principles that
define the form of government
Policy :
Decisions taken by governments and other political actors to solve specific problems
or achieve goals in society
It is the concrete result of political and choices made by government authorities
Specific policies implemented by the State to resolve social, economic or political
problems
Government in action
2
messages.downloaded_by
, lOMoARcPSD|19695644
1.3. The origins of the study of PP
In the 1900, government spending was modest (8% of GDP) : healthcare, education, defence
and welfare
Over a century later, 37% of GDP
Increasing need for :
Understand the reasons for and impact of the growth in public sector activity in many
countries
Developing the knowledge needed to manage ambitious economic and social programs
after WWII
Going beyond normative and legal explanations of government functioning : legal
operation of public institutions ; political philosophy
Gap between normative political theory and actual political practice
3
messages.downloaded_by
