THE BEHAVIORAL ASSUMPTION UNDERLYING A POLICY: STUDY OF POLICY INSTRUMENTS
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.53273/ym9k8923Abstract
The study of policy instruments is geared to the re-construction of final relations, being a species of the genus causal relations. To put it differently, goal-attainment is considered to be the dependent variable while instruments are seen as one of the independent variables. It should be underscored though that a policy theory does not reflect a scientific theory in the traditional sense of a universal law that has been put to an empirical test. The external validity of the findings is pretty low. A policy theory provides guidelines for action and is, as such, ideographic rather than nomologic in nature. Being utilization-focused, a policy theory should meet both academic and practical standards criteria. As they often conflict, a policy theory is often the outcome of a trade-off and consequently sub-optimal in nature. The quality of a policy theory – coherence, reliability, validity – is an important source of a policy fiasco.
Keywords:
Policy Study, National Policy, International PolicyReferences
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