Though democratic government calls for well-designed and implemented policy, there is surprisingly little expert guidance available for policy makers and politicians. Working for Policy fills that gap, addressing the nature of policy work and offering necessary guidance. The contributors bring together academic and experiential knowledge in their analysis and evaluation of what modern policy makers do in given situations and of how such actions contribute to the policy process. This unique book demonstrates how scholars can help to ensure that policy makers can acquire the skills and knowledge required in governing complex modern societies. 

Hal K. Colebatch is professorial visiting fellow at the University of New South Wales, Australia, and visiting fellow in the Institute of Governance Studies at the University of Twente in the Netherlands. Robert Hoppe is professor of knowledge and policy at the University of Twente. Mirko Noordegraaf is professor of public administration and organization sciences at Utrecht University in the Netherlands.

Preface

A. Introduction

1. Understanding Policy Work

      Hal Colebatch, Robert Hoppe and Mirko Noordegraaf
B. Accounts of Policy Work

2. Giving Accounts of Policy Work

      Hal Colebatch

3. Academic Accounts of Policy Experience

      Mirko Noordegraaf

C. Constructing Meaning Through Policy Work

4. New Life for Old Buildings: Mediating Between Different Meanings

      Tamara Metze

5. Policy Workers Tinkering with Uncertainty: Dutch Econometric Policy Advice in Action

      Annick de Vries, Willem Halffman and Rob Hoppe

D. Policy Work as Mediation

6. Managing the Problematic in Policy Work

      Lydia Sterrenberg

7. Evaluation as Policy Work: Puzzling and Powering in a Dutch Program for Sustainable Development

      Anne Loeber

E. Policy Work Beyond the Nation-State

8. Policy Work Between National and International Contexts: Maintaining Ongoing Collaboration

      Tanja Woeltjes

9. Flying Blind in Brussels: How National Officials Do European Business Without Political Steering

      Karin Geuijen and Paul ‘t Hart

F. Linking Systemic and Experiential Knowledge

10. Is Evidence-Based Policy Making Really Possible? Reflections for Policymakers and Academics on Making Use of Research in the Work of Policy

      Amanda Williams

11. Locating the Work of Policy

      Cris Shore
G. Conclusion

12. The Lessons for Policy Work

      Hal Colebatch, Robert Hoppe and Mirko Noordegraaf

About the Authors
Index of Names
Index of Subjects