Who Decides on Social Policy? (Paperback)

Alejandro Bonvecchi

ISBN 10: 1464815720 / ISBN 13: 9781464815720

Editore: World Bank Publications, Washington, 2020

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Paperback. This book investigates who decides on social policy combining political economy and social network analysis of social policy formulation processes. Case studies of Argentina, Bolivia, The Bahamas, and Trinidad and Tobago show that societal actors are the main influences in South America while governmental actors are in the Caribbean countries. Investigates who decides on social policy combining political economy and social network analysis of social policy formulation processes. Case studies of Argentina, Bolivia, The Bahamas, and Trinidad and Tobago show that societal actors are the main influences in South America while governmental actors are in the Caribbean countries. Shipping may be from multiple locations in the US or from the UK, depending on stock availability.

Codice articolo 9781464815720

Dati bibliografici

• Titolo: Who Decides on Social Policy? (Paperback)
• Editore: World Bank Publications, Washington
• Data di pubblicazione: 2020
• Lingua: Inglese
• ISBN 10: 1464815720
• ISBN 13: 9781464815720
• Rilegatura: Paperback
• Condizione: new

Descrizione articolo

Riassunto

Countries in Latin America and the Caribbean have made remarkable progress inimproving the living conditions of their people since the 1990s. Poverty has declinedby almost 50 percent, and average life expectancy has increased substantially,especially for children under the age of five. Most children now attend primaryschool, and three out of four start secondary education. These advances can belargely accounted for by two factors: the fast-paced economic growth of the early2000s and the substantial expenditures for social programs in the region.However, the region’s economic slowdown has halted the pace of improvement,and social policies have not been implemented consistently or effectively becauseof flaws in design and execution. These failings raise important questions. Whoformulates social policy? What resources do actors bring to decision-making processes, and how do those resources position them within decision-making networks? These are not academic questions. The budget and economic constraintsimposed by the COVID-19 pandemic mean that public policies will have to be more efficient and effective while dealing with limited resources.Few analyses to date have focused on the process of formulating social policy, thesocial networks involved, the details of coordination among actors and organizations, and the institutional, normative, and operational factors that make policies likely to succeed—or fail. There has not been a comprehensive, systematic study of how social policy-making processes and coordination mechanisms—formal or informal— can make a difference in the operational effectiveness and impact of social policies.Who Decides Social Policy? Social Networks and the Political Economy of Social Policy in Latin America and the Caribbean attempts to fill this void. This book combines an institutional political economy approach to policy making with social network analysis of social policy formulation processes. Based on extensive interviews with governmental and nongovernmental actors, the case studies of social policy formulation in Argentina, The Bahamas, Bolivia, and Trinidad and Tobago show that while societal actors are central in the networks in South American countries, government officials are the main participants in the Caribbean countries. The comparative analysis of the networks of ideas, information, economic resources, and political power across these cases indicates that differences in the types of bureaucratic systems and governance structures may explain the diversity of actors with decision power and the resources used to influence social policyformulation across the region. These analytical and methodological contributions—combined with specific examples of policies and programs—will help to enhance the efficiency, efficacy, and sustainability of public policies in the social arena.

Informazioni sull?autore

The World Bank came into formal existence in 1945 following the international ratification of the Bretton Woods agreements. It is a vital source of financial and technical assistance to developing countries around the world. The organization's activities are focused on education, health, agriculture and rural development, environmental protection, establishing and enforcing regulations, infrastructure development, governance and legal institutions development. The World Bank is made up of two unique development institutions owned by its 185 Member Countries. The International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) focuses on middle income and creditworthy poor countries and the International Development Association (IDA), which focuses on the poorest countries in the world.