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Public Policy Analysis: Comparative Social Policy

Vak
2020-2021

Admission requirements

Required course(s):

  • Quantitative Research Methods

  • Foundations of Research Design

  • Decision-Making Processes AND/OR Comparative Party Systems

Description

Why do countries have very different approaches to social policy? What factors explain the emergence of different welfare states? Whom do social policies protect and why does that vary across countries? When do policy-makers pursue welfare state reforms? What is the effect of globalization on social policy? How can policy-makers address new social risks? Why do individual attitudes towards welfare states vary dramatically across countries? These types of questions will guide our comparative analysis of social policy across countries.

In this course, we study the formation of welfare states and the politics of social policy to understand how different countries address social risks. We explore differences in institutions and policies across countries, as well as the variation in the actors involved in social policy-making. We also compare across policy areas associated with the welfare state, including pensions, unemployment, health, family policy, long-term care, social assistance, and housing. The course draws on a range of datasets about social policy generosity, its political salience, individual attitudes, and more to study the causes and consequences of various approaches to social policy across countries, policy areas, and time.

After exploring academic debates about the welfare state, the second half of the course will consist of workshop that focus on practicing policy evaluation and recommendations. We will practice how to use evidence and write for policy impact in the field of social policy.

While much of the academic literature on welfare states is based on Western European cases, we will analyze policies across a diverse range of countries, which is driven by the set of countries selected by participants where one participant will serve as our in-house expert on a specific country. We will explore the actors and factors that drive social policy across countries and experience the analytical value of researching policy through comparative analysis.

Course Objectives

Content:

  • Understand the components of the welfare state and the factors that influence social policy

  • Compare alternative theories of social policy formation

  • Develop deep case knowledge of one country’s welfare state institutions and social policies

Skills:

  • Analyze existing social policies and related data through comparison across countries

  • Design a policy relevant research project that applies quantitative data analysis for evidence-based policymaking

  • Evaluate policy alternatives and formulate recommendations

  • Write effectively for policy impact targeted at non-academic audiences

Timetable

Timetables for courses offered at Leiden University College in 2020-2021 will be published on this page of the e-Prospectus.

Mode of instruction

The first part of the course is based on interactive discussions of the readings and application of the theories to case studies. The second half of the course will be based on workshops and group work to practice evaluating and design policy recommendations based on case study examples, presentations by student country experts, and analysis of data related to social policy.

Assessment Method

  • Participation and engagement in class – 10%, Weeks 1-7 (Learning outcomes 1-4)

  • Position papers – 20%, Two short papers positioning class readings in the literature in weeks 2-4 (Learning outcomes 1-2)

  • Country expert reports and presentation – 10%, Weeks 4-7 (Learning outcomes 3)

  • Policy problem description paper – 20%, Week 5 (Learning outcomes 5-7)

  • Policy alternatives summary and peer feedback – 10%, Week 7 (Learning outcome 5-7)

  • Policy brief and response to feedback – 30%, Week 8 (Learning outcome 5-7)

Reading list

  • Eugene S. Bardach and Eric M. Patashnik, A Practical Guide for Policy Analysis: The Eightfold Path to More Effective Problem Solving, 6 edition (Washington, D.C: CQ Press, 2019).

All other readings will be posted as links on Brightspace page.

Registration

Courses offered at Leiden University College (LUC) are usually only open to LUC students and LUC exchange students. Leiden University students who participate in one of the university’s Honours tracks or programmes may register for one LUC, if availability permits. Registration is coordinated by the Education Coordinator, course.administration@luc.leidenuniv.nl.

Contact

Dr. Kristin Makszin, k.m.makszin@luc.leidenuniv.nl

Remarks

Preparation for first session:

  • Check Brightspace for reading and read the syllabus.