The project-oriented course is designed to deepen understanding of the policy process within a context of democratic governance. The course connect theoretical thinking about the policy process to practical application in the context of green transition. The course addresses the interaction of political dimensions of democratic governance concerning polity (institutions political system democracy, ideas, language) and politics (interaction of collective and individual actors) with the policy process. This connection is illustrated by a more detailed examination of several policy process frameworks (stage heuristics, IADF, NPF, ACF, and MSF) and their application to practice using case studies related to the green transition. In practical perspective, the course intends to lead students to convey theoretical findings into practice and back, and to engage them in critical thinking, argumentation, and studying of public policy issues.
Last update: Novotný Vilém, PhDr., Ph.D. (31.12.2023)
Literature
Essential literature: Caramani, Daniele (ed.). Comparative Politics (5th edition). Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2020. Weible, Ch. (ed.). Theories of the Policy Process (5th edition). New York: Routledge, 2023 Weible, Chris & Cairney, Paul (Eds). Practical Lessons from Policy Theories. Bristol: Policy Press, 2021. Weible, Ch. & Workman, S. (eds.). Methods of the Policy Process. New York: Routledge, 2022.
Further recommended readings: Cairney, P. Understanding Public Policy (2nd edition). London: Bloomsbury Publishing, 2020. John, P. Analyzing Public Policy (2nd edition). London: Routledge, 2012. Howlett, M., Ramesh, M. & Perl, A. Studying Public Policy : Principles and Processes (4th edition). Don Mills (Ont.): Oxford University Press, 2020.
Last update: Novotný Vilém, PhDr., Ph.D. (19.12.2023)
Syllabus
Course Outline Block 1 1. Lecture 1: Introduction; Theoretical Aspects of the Policy Process in Democratic Governance; Policy Cycle and Democratic Political System 2. Seminar 1: Discussion of the course of the work, formation of issue teams
Block 2 3. Lecture 2: Institutions of Democratic Polity and the Policy Process; Institutional Analysis and Development Framework (IADF) 4. Lecture 3: Ideas and Language in Democratic Polity and the Policy Process; Narrative Policy Framework (NPF)
Block 3 5. Lecture 4: Collective Actors in Democratic Politics and the Policy Process; Advocacy Coalitions Framework (ACF) 6. Seminar 2: Discussion of issue teams (related to the green transition) + literature review + midterm discussion
Block 4 7.-8. Seminar 3-4: Debating the policy issues related to the green transition Block 5 9. Lecture 5: Individual Actors in Democratic Politics and the Policy Process; Multiple Streams Framework (MSF) 10. Seminar 5: Designing a seminar paper: Application of particular frameworks the green transition issues + literature review
Block 6 11. Lecture 6: Comparing Frameworks of the Policy Process 12. Seminar 6: Presentation and discussion of seminar papers’ designs + reflections on the course
Last update: Novotný Vilém, PhDr., Ph.D. (19.12.2023)
