Policy Analysis in the Czech Republic (International Library of Policy Analysis ,8)

Policy Analysis in the Czech Republic is a vital addition to the International Library of Policy Analysis series. It is not only the first comprehensive overview of the historical development and current state of policy analysis in the Czech Republic, but also in the post-communist Central and Eastern European region. As such, it provides a unique picture of policy analysis that in many respects profoundly differs from 'Western' policy analysis textbooks. Written by leading experts in the field – including practitioners – it outlines the historical development of policy analysis, identifies its role in academic education and research, and examines its varying styles and methods. This unique book offers indispensable reading for researchers, policy makers and students. Contents List of tables, figures and boxes Tables Figures Boxes Notes on contributors Acknowledgements Policy analysis in the Czech Republic: the state of the art Introduction Doing policy analysis without policy: intricacies of language and their consequences Four meanings of policy analysis Overall structure of the book, core themes and questions Part I The styles and methods of public policy analysis in the Czech Republic Public policy in the Czech Republic: historical development and its current state Introduction The early 20th century Is there light at the end of the tunnel? Freedom at last Reflection on the current state of the field in the Czech Republic Development of Czech policy analysis: social and political factors Introduction Conceptualising an explanation of the development of policy analysis Development of policy analysis in the Czech Republic Conclusions Policy analysis styles and methods Introduction Dominating paradigms of Czech policy analysis Policy analysis styles in the Czech Republic Conclusion Part II Policy analysis by governments Policy analysis in the Czech Republic and the influence of supranational organisations Introduction Europeanised policy making in the Czech Republic and its limits Introduction Asymmetric Europeanisation before EU accession Europeanised policy making after accession: institutional structure The practice of Europeanised policy making after accession Conclusion Policy analysis and policy work in the central public administration Introduction The Central Public Administration of the Czech Republic Profile of policy bureaucrats in ministries Policy work in ministries Conclusions Policy analysis in subnational governments Introduction Subnational policy work Conclusions Policy work at the local level Introduction Sources of knowledge on local governance and policy work at the local level Context of public administration at the municipal level Who governs and who influences local leaders? Local policy work through the lens of time management and communication networks Conclusion Part III Internal policy advisory councils, consultants and public opinion Policy advisory councils: governmental and departmental advisory bodies Introduction The current state of the policy advisory council system in the Czech Republic Formal frameworks and guidelines of advisory bodies Case studies of selected advisory bodies in the Czech Republic Conclusions Public opinion and public policy Definitions of public policy and public opinion Public opinion as opinion polls Public opinion as perceived by policy makers The public(s) on the way from opinion to action The capacity of public opinion Interactions of public opinion and public policy in theories The influence of public opinion on public policy: a normative approach versus an analytical approach and the problem of measurement Conclusions Policy analysis outsourcing Introduction Commercial providers of policy analysis in the Czech Republic Part IV Parties and interest group-based policy analysis Czech political parties and policy analysis in the perspective of policy advisory systems Introduction Theoretical framework Intra-party arrangements Extra-party arrangements Conclusion Policy analysis and the voluntary sector Current opportunities for change NGOs as policy actors Structure of NGOs’ policy opportunities Presence of NGOs in the policy process Conclusions Part V Academic and advocacy-based policy analysis The news media and decision making Introduction Research on political communication in the Czech Republic Conclusions Think tanks and policy discourses Introduction Think tanks and policy discourses Data Think tanks in the Czech Republic after 1989 Conclusions Science policy implications for policy knowledge generated in academia The science policy framework of knowledge production Economists as agents of public policy formation Conclusion Czech public policy programmes and policy analysis education Introduction Public policy programmes in the Czech Republic Policy analysis courses Diploma theses in public policy programmes Conclusions Conclusions: the present and future of policy analysis in the Czech Republic Introduction The future of Czech policy analysis Index As the first comprehensive assessment of policy analysis in both the Czech Republic and the post-communist Central and Eastern European region, this important addition to the ILPA Series provides a unique insight which offers an indispensable guide for researchers, policy makers and students. As the first comprehensive assessment of policy analysis in both the Czech Republic and the post-communist Central and Eastern European region, this important book provides a unique insight which offers an indispensable guide for researchers, policy makers and students. Edited By Arnošt Veselý, Martin Nekola, Eva M. Hejzlarová. Includes Bibliographical References And Index.