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51
Taking ‘Galton’s Problem’ seriously: Towards a theory of policy diffusion
- Journal of Theoretical Politics
, 2006
"... This article builds on the recent policy diffusion literature and attempts to overcome one of its major problems, namely the lack of a coherent theoretical framework. The literature defines policy diffusion as a process where policy choices are interdependent, and identifies several diffusion mechan ..."
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Cited by 38 (8 self)
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This article builds on the recent policy diffusion literature and attempts to overcome one of its major problems, namely the lack of a coherent theoretical framework. The literature defines policy diffusion as a process where policy choices are interdependent, and identifies several diffusion mechanisms that specify the link between the policy choices of the various actors. As these mechanisms are grounded in different theories, theoretical accounts of diffu-sion currently have little internal coherence. In this article we put forward an expected-utility model of policy change that is able to subsume all the diffu-sion mechanisms. We argue that the expected utility of a policy depends on both its effectiveness and the payoffs it yields, and we show that the various diffusion mechanisms operate by altering these two parameters. Each mechan-ism affects one of the two parameters, and does so in distinct ways. To account for aggregate patterns of diffusion, we embed our model in a simple threshold model of diffusion. Given the high complexity of the process that results, strong analytical conclusions on aggregate patterns cannot be drawn without more extensive analysis which is beyond the scope of this article. However, pre-liminary considerations indicate that a wide range of diffusion processes may exist and that convergence is only one possible outcome.
Networks as channels of policy diffusion: Explaining worldwide changes in capital taxation
- International Studies Quarterly
, 2010
"... This paper studies policy changes in capital taxation by focusing on pol-icy interdependence induced by network dynamics at the international level. The empirical findings indicate that the competition mechanism induced by network position similarity in the network of portfolio investment and that o ..."
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Cited by 7 (0 self)
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This paper studies policy changes in capital taxation by focusing on pol-icy interdependence induced by network dynamics at the international level. The empirical findings indicate that the competition mechanism induced by network position similarity in the network of portfolio investment and that of exports causes policy diffusion in corporate taxa-tion; the socialization mechanism (policy learning and emulation) induced by network position proximity in the IGO networks also drives policy changes, and the evidence is much stronger in the IGO networks that facilitate policy learning than in those that facilitate emulation. The paper also discusses explicitly empirical challenges to incorporate network characteristics into connectivity matrices in spatial lag models often used to study policy diffusion. It suggests that students of policy diffusion should discuss as explicitly as possible the assumptions and procedures to construct connectivity matrices and present results from alternative specifications: our conclusion on the strength of policy diffu-
Liquid security: Managing the market for crime control
- Criminology and Criminal Justice
, 2006
"... Liquid security captures the shift from the solid-state technology of the criminal justice state to the more fluid, transient and dispersed operations of the private security industry. Despite its promise to sell security, the industry is often better known for the dangers it poses to the safety of ..."
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Cited by 5 (0 self)
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Liquid security captures the shift from the solid-state technology of the criminal justice state to the more fluid, transient and dispersed operations of the private security industry. Despite its promise to sell security, the industry is often better known for the dangers it poses to the safety of people and property. Marked by high levels of corruption, violence, rapid staff turnover and high customer churn the private security industry cannot maintain consumer confidence or public respect. This article examines various attempts to manage the market for crime control and seeks to disclose their underlying rationale. Attempts to govern through industry self-regulation, market competition and the design and architecture of provision have failed to secure standards. Yet formal state regulation appears directed less at compliance with articulated ethical standards, a clear conception of what security is for and whom it should serve, than ensuring the health of the market. The state presents itself as facilitator, but appears as pimp, to the security industry. Regulation is sold as a ‘business opportunity ’ and compliance as the means to ensuring profitability. In the telling words of the Security Industry Authority, ‘Good security is good for the whole business environment’. Key Words accountability • governance • private security • regulation • security policy
The Puzzle of the Diffusion of Central Bank Independence Reforms: Insights from an Agent-based Simulation
"... Insights from an agent-based simulation The emergence of an ever-widening sphere of global public policy is a new reality in a world characterized by the blurring of boundaries between the national and the global; by flows of ideas, people and commodities; and by new global risks and opportunities. ..."
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Cited by 4 (1 self)
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Insights from an agent-based simulation The emergence of an ever-widening sphere of global public policy is a new reality in a world characterized by the blurring of boundaries between the national and the global; by flows of ideas, people and commodities; and by new global risks and opportunities. In this context, this paper explores the empirical puzzle of the sudden outbreak of reforms leading to central bank independence. How can we best understand the outbreak of reforms in the 1990s? It is suggested here that the reforms were diffused in a contagious and an uncoordinated manner in a global policy process that may best be captured by Kingdon’s policy stream model. We develop an agentbased model to evaluate the effects of three relatively unexplored aspects of the diffusion process. These are (1) the likelihood of the outbreak of reform; (2) the rate of adoption of the reform; and (3) the time to outbreak. We find that the likelihood of outbreak depends on the saliency of a problem, in conjunction with the length of time that a problem has been on the public agenda. We also find that an increase in the size
2009a, “Conditional diffusion: Smoke free air legislation and tobacco taxation policies
- in the United States 1970-2006’, Paper presented at the MPSA Annual Conference
"... The notion of policy diffusion has recently come under closer scrutiny as researchers are trying to disentangle the various channels through which policies diffuse across jurisdictional boundaries (e.g.: learning vs. competition). At the same time, researchers became interested in the question of ho ..."
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Cited by 3 (1 self)
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The notion of policy diffusion has recently come under closer scrutiny as researchers are trying to disentangle the various channels through which policies diffuse across jurisdictional boundaries (e.g.: learning vs. competition). At the same time, researchers became interested in the question of how to differentiate between genuine diffusion and common exogenous shocks. What has been largely overlooked so far is the way in which diffusion influences interact with political and institutional conditions within jurisdictions. This paper argues that the same diffusion influence can exert different effects depending on the political and institutional conditions in the jurisdiction subject to this influence. I thus propose modeling the effect of diffusion processes as conditional upon the political and institutional specifics of jurisdictions. As an example of this approach, the paper studies diffusion influences and their conditional effects in the context of smoke free air legislation and tobacco taxation in the 48 contiguous U.S. states from 1970-2006. I show that diffusion influences are more pronounced for liberal state governments than they are for conservative governments. This conditional diffusion influence is present both in tax and regulatory policies.
Networked governance and
"... the post-regulatory state? Steering, rowing and anchoring the provision of policing and security ..."
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Cited by 2 (0 self)
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the post-regulatory state? Steering, rowing and anchoring the provision of policing and security
Political influence and bureaucratic autonomy
, 2008
"... Abstract The establishment of autonomous public bodies during the past two decades has created a highly fragmented public sector. Using a dataset with more than 200 Dutch public sector organisations, this article examines three related sets of questions: to what extent a relationship exists between ..."
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Abstract The establishment of autonomous public bodies during the past two decades has created a highly fragmented public sector. Using a dataset with more than 200 Dutch public sector organisations, this article examines three related sets of questions: to what extent a relationship exists between formal and de facto autonomy; the level of influence that interested parties exert upon those organizations; whether a relationship exists between levels of formal and de facto autonomy and the level of influence exercised by these parties. We find that formal autonomy does not reinforce de facto autonomy; organizations with less autonomy report higher levels of political influence when policy autonomy is concerned; and that organizations with more autonomy report higher societal influence on their financial autonomy. Keywords Bureaucratic autonomy. Political control. Public sector organizations The political control of public administration is one of the most central concerns of students of politics and administration since the days of Wilson and Weber. On both sides of the Atlantic, fear of unresponsive and runaway bureaucracy has prompted several research endeavors in the past century leading to much bureaucrat-bashing (Niskanen 1971). Ironically, the implementation of a neo-liberal agenda within the public sector, i.e. privatizations, liberalization and New Public Management, further deepened skepticism about responsive bureaucracy instead of bringing the bureaucrat under control—which was the alleged objective. Political reformers hived off departmental units from ministries, created highly specialized organiza-tions, and delegated substantial degrees of autonomy to these bodies (Pollitt and
Political responsiveness and credibility in regulatory administration." Pp
, 2006
"... Regulatory administration in Denmark, the Netherlands, and Sweden has gone through frequent and dramatic changes since 1950. Reforms are neither restricted to economic regulation, nor to the post-1980-reform period. The changes facilitate political control through either the parliamentary chain of d ..."
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Regulatory administration in Denmark, the Netherlands, and Sweden has gone through frequent and dramatic changes since 1950. Reforms are neither restricted to economic regulation, nor to the post-1980-reform period. The changes facilitate political control through either the parliamentary chain of delegation or collegiate boards, often with strong corporatist traits. However, the changes do not follow a universal pattern. Rather they build on organisational forms that are embedded in national administrative traditions. The analysis questions the validity of functionalist theories of regulatory reform while finding support for structural choice theory. In parliamentary systems of the European type policy makers prefer organisational designs that maximise flexibility with regard to delegating to independent regulators, but remain within the confines of national administrative tradition. Here Swedish central government is of particular interest due to the dualist principles inscribed into the constitution that guide it. They represent a strong form of credible commitment through agency independence. However, the analysis shows how policy makers over time have gradually eroded this independence. 2
Freer trade, more regulation? Commercial regulatory provisions in Asia-Pacific free trade agreements’, Competition and Change
, 2010
"... Free trade agreements (FTAs) have become a defining feature of the world trade system, expanding rapidly in number since the end of the Cold War and particularly in the Asia-Pacific, a region that was hitherto largely devoid of FTA activity. The nature of FTAs is also changing. Most incorporate a ra ..."
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Cited by 1 (1 self)
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Free trade agreements (FTAs) have become a defining feature of the world trade system, expanding rapidly in number since the end of the Cold War and particularly in the Asia-Pacific, a region that was hitherto largely devoid of FTA activity. The nature of FTAs is also changing. Most incorporate a range of ‘trade plus ’ measures that extend the reach of these agreements into various realms of commercial regulation, embodying specific rules on intellectual property, investment, government procurement, competition policy, and other areas of commercial practice. With conventional trade barriers (e.g. tariffs) continuing to fall and hence becoming less significant, the commercial regulatory provisions of FTAs have gained greater promi-nence. This article considers whether ‘freer trade ’ in the early twenty-first century is increasingly concerned with setting the appropriate regulatory parameters to foster open market competition, but also competition on the regulatory terms of dominant FTA partners. The analysis centres on seven types of ‘influence effect ’ associated with FTA commercial regulation, in broad terms relating to determining the liberalization embodied in agree-ments, shaping the domestic policy domain of FTA partners, affecting the relationship between FTAs and World Trade Organisation (WTO) accords, conferring regulatory preferences and free-rider advantages to trade partners, exhibiting cross-agreement regulatory influences, and exposing fundamental conflicts of interest on economic and social governance issues.
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Provided by the author(s) and University College Dublin Library in accordance with publisher policies. Please
