Learning From Comparative Public Policy

Table of contents

1. Front Cover
2. Learning from Comparative Public Policy
3. Title Page
4. Copyright
5. Dedication
6. Contents
7. List of boxed examples
8. Acknowledgements
9. Introduction: why learn lessons from abroad?
   1. The need to learn
   2. Why foreigners?
   3. Applying knowledge
10. STAGE I Getting started
    1. Step 1 Understanding programmes and lessons
       1. Programmes as building blocks
       2. Parallel and interdependent programmes
       3. What a lesson is – and is not
    2. Step 2 Creating awareness of problems
       1. No problem; we’re satisfied
       2. Events create problems
       3. Solutions make it easier to face up to problems
    3. Step 3 Where to look for lessons
       1. Uses and limits of history
       2. Learning from afar as well as near at hand Too big or too good to ignore
11. STAGE II Venturing abroad
    1. Step 4 Finding out how a programme really works there
       1. Forums for learning: official and unofficial
       2. No substitute for going there
    2. Step 5 Turning anecdotes into a model
       1. What a model is
       2. What a model leaves out
12. STAGE III Returning home
    1. Step 6 Drawing a lesson
       1. Applying a model
       2. Applying lessons in the European Union
    2. Step 7 Should a lesson be adopted?
       1. Political conflicts about ends and means
       2. Pressures from abroad
       3. Vetoes are not permanent
    3. Step 8 Can a lesson be applied?
       1. Inheritance before choice
       2. Resource limitations
       3. Mutual misunderstandings
    4. Step 9 Increasing chances of success
       1. Making the most of contingencies
       2. Manipulating foreign symbols
    5. Step 10 Looking ahead
       1. Evaluation – prospective and retrospective
       2. As time goes by: evolution and adaptation
       3. Never say never in politics – but you may have to wait
13. References
14. Index