This comprehensive Companion analyses the relevance of the OECD as a transnational policy-maker, idea broker, and standard-setter. Bringing together diverse disciplines and methodologies, it establishes the influence of the OECD on modern understandings of governance. Through scholarly reviews and original empirical analyses, this Companion covers the evolution and structure of the OECD, its role in transnational policy-making, and its domestic impact. It consolidates work from disciplines including economics, social policy, history, international relations, and legal studies to critically analyse the concepts, methods, and tools of governance in global policy-making. Contributors explore the comparative impact of the OECD in developed and developing countries, the OECD’s work in various policy sectors, and emerging issues on the OECD’s agenda such as governance reform, cyber-security, and sustainability. Ultimately, the Companion advances inter-disciplinary knowledge of the OECD’s methods of governance and position in global politics. Providing in-depth insight on the structure and impact of the OECD, The Elgar Companion to the OECD will be an authoritative and original reference text for scholars and students of global governance, international relations, political economy, and public policy. It will also be essential reading for practitioners seeking to better understand modern global governance and public policy.

Regulatory impact assessment (RIA) is the main instrument used by governments and regulators to appraise the likely effects of their policy proposals. This pioneering Handbook provides a comparative and comprehensive account of this tool, situating it in the relevant theoretical traditions and scrutinizing its use across countries, policy sectors and policy instruments. Comprising six parts, university researchers, international consultants and practitioners working in international organizations examine regulatory impact assessment from many perspectives, which include: research traditions in the social sciences implementation, regulatory indicators and effects tools and dimensions such as courts and gender sectoral case studies including environment, enterprise and international development international diffusion in the European Union (EU), Americas, Asia and developing countries appraisal, training and education. With its wealth of detail and lessons to be learned, the Handbook of Regulatory Impact Assessment will undoubtedly be of great value to practitioners and scholars working in governance, political science and socio-legal studies. Contributors: C. Adelle, A. Alemanno, L. Allio, C. Arndt, F. Blanc, A. Bond, G. Bounds, P.G.H. Carroll, P. Coletti, F. De Francesco, C.A. Dunlop, M. Fazekas, O. Fritsch, F. Gains, J. Howell, S. Jacobs, A. Jordan, J.C. Kamkhaji, M. Karliuk, S.-J. Kim, T.-Y. Kim, C. Kirkpatrick, I. Lianos, D. Macrae, A.C.M. Meuwese, G. Ottimofiore, J.R. Palmer, D. Parker, A. Peci, C.M. Radaelli, A. Renda, D. Russel, L. Schrefler, J.A. Schwartz, W.R. Sheate, J. Torriti, J. Turnpenny, S. van Voorst, E. Vecchione, W.F. West

In 2012, the spotlight was on Prime Minister Monti and his government of non-elected ministers. Early in the year, the new government's economic policy was effective in stopping the international downgrading of the country's credit rating. However, in terms of the entire year, the success of the Monti government appears less definitive. There were no clear achievements in terms of growth, and the structural features of the economy remained weak. Monti successfully initiated some reforms and policy changes, but there were failures as well. Furthermore, the "odd majority" (made up of the PdL, PD, and UdC) that supported Monti in Parliament performed more weakly than the government. The parties were to change the electoral law, reform the parliamentary institutions, cut costs, and reduce the privileges of the political class, but failed. Their inaction was accompanied by a series of scandals and crimes, all of which facilitated the emergence of new political forces, such as the Five Star Movement. When Monti eventually resigned in December 2012, President Napolitano called for new elections, and the parties redefined their proposals and lists. At the end of the year, the political and economic conditions of the country remained fragile.

This book explains the causal pathways, the mechanisms and the politics that define the quantity and quality of policy learning. A rich collection of case studies structured around a strong conceptual architecture, the volume comprises fresh, original, empirical evidence for a large number of countries, sectors and multi-level governance settings including the European Commission, the European Union, and individual countries across Europe, Australia, Canada and Brazil. The theoretically diverse chapters address both the presence of learning and its pathologies, deploying state-of-the-art methods, including process tracing, diffusion models, and fuzzy-set techniques.

Regulatory impact assessment (RIA) is the main instrument used by governments and regulators to appraise the likely effects of their policy proposals. This pioneering Handbook provides a comparative and comprehensive account of this tool, situating it in the relevant theoretical traditions and scrutinizing its use across countries, policy sectors and policy instruments. Comprising six parts, university researchers, international consultants and practitioners working in international organizations examine regulatory impact assessment from many perspectives, which include: research traditions in the social sciences implementation, regulatory indicators and effects tools and dimensions such as courts and gender sectoral case studies including environment, enterprise and international development international diffusion in the European Union (EU), Americas, Asia and developing countries appraisal, training and education. With its wealth of detail and lessons to be learned, the Handbook of Regulatory Impact Assessment will undoubtedly be of great value to practitioners and scholars working in governance, political science and socio-legal studies. Contributors: C. Adelle, A. Alemanno, L. Allio, C. Arndt, F. Blanc, A. Bond, G. Bounds, P.G.H. Carroll, P. Coletti, F. De Francesco, C.A. Dunlop, M. Fazekas, O. Fritsch, F. Gains, J. Howell, S. Jacobs, A. Jordan, J.C. Kamkhaji, M. Karliuk, S.-J. Kim, T.-Y. Kim, C. Kirkpatrick, I. Lianos, D. Macrae, A.C.M. Meuwese, G. Ottimofiore, J.R. Palmer, D. Parker, A. Peci, C.M. Radaelli, A. Renda, D. Russel, L. Schrefler, J.A. Schwartz, W.R. Sheate, J. Torriti, J. Turnpenny, S. van Voorst, E. Vecchione, W.F. West

A new examination of the actual place of discourse in democratic policymaking. It tackles key questions, such as when and how does discourse matter during major political institutional change? and what is the power of Europeanization in domestic and international policy changes? This new study delivers enlightening answers to these key questions by examining policy discourse, Europeanization, and the classic variables of politics in their institutional context. It presents sophisticated theoretical analysis grounded in empirically-rich comparative case studies on security and defense cooperation, international negotiations on trade and agricultural policy, deregulation of telecommunications and banking, and reform of anti-discrimination policy. This is a Special Issue of the leading journal West European Politics.

A new examination of the actual place of discourse in democratic policymaking.

It tackles key questions, such as when and how does discourse matter during major political institutional change? and what is the power of Europeanization in domestic and international policy changes?

This new study delivers enlightening answers to these key questions by examining policy discourse, Europeanization, and the classic variables of politics in their institutional context. It presents sophisticated theoretical analysis grounded in empirically-rich comparative case studies on security and defense cooperation, international negotiations on trade and agricultural policy, deregulation of telecommunications and banking, and reform of anti-discrimination policy.

This is a Special Issue of the leading journal West European Politics.

In mid March 1999, all 20 members of the executive leadership of the European Union resigned. This was in response to a report, from an independent panel, citing the leadership with chronic cronyism and corruption. One of the most common and strongest criticisms of the EU is that the power is held by a select few unaccountable technocrats sitting in Brussels and who, without consultation, formulate policies.

Written just prior to the mass resignations, Claudio Radaelli provided this exploration of technocracy. He has adopted an innovative approach to his study, one which is concise and analytical and which will introduce the reader to the wide ranging literature from political science, political sociology and organizational behavior on bureaucracy and technocracy. All key to understanding how the EU works. Included are two case studies which show the possibilities and limits of relying on 'technocrats'.

One of the most common and strongest criticisms of the EU is that power is held by a select few who are unaccountable technocrats sitting in Brussels who without consultation formulate policies.A fresh and innovative new series, written by leading authorities, providing students and researchers with a concise analysis of key topics relating to the state of the European Union and its future development. Combining insights from the theoretical literature with brief institutional descriptions, each book in the series focuses on the key questions, 'Where does power lie?', 'What are the likely scenarios for development?', thereby enabling the reader to gain a better sense of the dynamic processes of politics at EU level.

This book explains the causal pathways, the mechanisms and the politics that define the quantity and quality of policy learning. A rich collection of case studies structured around a strong conceptual architecture, the volume comprises fresh, original, empirical evidence for a large number of countries, sectors and multi-level governance settings including the European Commission, the European Union, and individual countries across Europe, Australia, Canada and Brazil. The theoretically diverse chapters address both the presence of learning and its pathologies, deploying state-of-the-art methods, including process tracing, diffusion models, and fuzzy-set techniques.

This book traces the influence of the European Union on domestic politics and public policies. Whereas the standard books on domestic politics and European integration look at different countries one by one, this volume embraces an innovative perspective based on specific concepts, indicators, and a broad range of thematic issues. Representing the cutting edge of theoretical analysis and empirical research on Europeanization, this work will be essential reading for students of the EU and comparative European politics.

This text looks at the political aspects of European integration from the point of view of domestic politics. In doing so, it goes beyond the classic analysis of "how policies are made in Brussels" and raises instead the question "what is the power of Europe in national contexts"? The questions at the heart of this volume are crucial both for our understanding of European integration and for their policy implications. What does Europeanization really mean? How can it be measured? How is the European Union affecting domestic politics and policies in member states and candidate countries? Is Europeanization an irreversible process? Does it mean convergence across Europe? How and why do differences remain? The contributors explain and question the "power of Europe" by providing theoretical and empirical perspectives on domestic politics and institutions, government and administration, public policies, political actors and business groups. The volume contains a research agenda for the nascent literature on Europeanization.

This innovative research design text will help you make informed choices when carrying out your research project. Covering both qualitative and quantitative approaches, and with examples drawn from a wide range of social science disciplines, the authors explain what is at stake when choosing a research design, and discuss the trade-offs that researchers have to make when considering issues such as: - causality - categories and classification - heterogeneity - interdependence - time This book will appeal to students and researchers looking for an in-depth understanding of research design issues to help them design their projects in a thoughtful and responsible way.

This innovative research design text will help you make informed choices when carrying out your research project. Covering both qualitative and quantitative approaches, and with examples drawn from a wide range of social science disciplines, the authors explain what is at stake when choosing a research design, and discuss the trade-offs that researchers have to make when considering issues such as: - causality - categories and classification - heterogeneity - interdependence - time This book will appeal to students and researchers looking for an in-depth understanding of research design issues to help them design their projects in a thoughtful and responsible way.