The Democratic Crisis and the Knowledge Problem

Facchini, François; Melki, Mickael

doi:10.1111/polp.12330

Cited by 8 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 35 publications

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“…There is an ecology of happiness just as there is an ecology of production plans (Wagner 2012). Public policies on happiness, like public policies in general (Facchini and Melki 2019), cannot know their future impact, because they cannot know that making some people happier will not make others even more unhappy.…”

Section: Figure I the Research Of Objective Determinants Of Happinessmentioning

confidence: 99%

Happiness and Public Spending

Facchini

2022

QJAE

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This article presents the traditional limitations of happiness economics and the uncertainty about the econometric relationship between public spending and happiness. It also argues that the happiness metric is a new form of social engineering, and that as such, happiness economics is biased toward a particular political utopia and scientific ideal. The political utopia is liberticidal, antidemocratic. It transforms democracy into “pollo-cracy”—i.e., the government (kratos) to the pollsters. The scientific ideal is positivist and favors government by numbers. This scientific norm underestimates the limits of statistical work. The social engineering of happiness is a new fatal presumption of policy makers. It is a new way to critique the free market economy and to substitute profit with a social criterion of quality of life and happiness.

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Section: Figure I the Research Of Objective Determinants Of Happinessmentioning

confidence: 99%

Happiness and Public Spending

Facchini

2022

QJAE

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“…Since the 1960s, when most countries in the West African subregion gained political freedom from colonial powers, the regional nations have adopted a variety of political systems, including multiparty democracy, one‐party systems, and military autocracies (The Conversations 2017). Political scientists have long agreed that, after a long historical process of consolidation, wealthy democracies could remain stable indefinitely (Facchini and Melki 2019). However, recent events suggest that this may no longer be the case due to the direct effects of the economic crisis and its social consequences (Torcal and Christmann 2019).…”

Section: Ecowas Membership Treaties and Protocolsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The “Isms” of Regional Integration: What Do Underlying Interstate Preferences Hold for the ECOWAS Union?

Igwe

Ochinanwata²,

Madichie

2021

Politics & Policy

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As the world starts reopening following the lockdowns prompted by the COVID‐19 pandemic, regional collaborations and trade matters have resurfaced. While the Brexit (British exit from the EU) negotiations have dominated regional trade headlines, the fate of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement is also being rethought. In all these, however, the issue of regional integration, administration, and governance of treaties and policies remain contentious areas. Considering these concerns, this article draws insights from the regionalization of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). We explore the “isms” (that is, the ideologies of realism, neoliberalism, intergovernmentalism, institutionalism, and regionalism) that impact upon the achievement and implementation of the regional governance system. We analyze ECOWAS' current strategy toward the integration of the West African region, its successes, and its failures. Also, we highlight some of the challenges concerning the implementation of treaties. Finally, we evaluate the underlying national preferences and the implications for the “isms” in many settings. Related Articles Aideyan, Osaore. 2016. “Political and Institutional Prerequisites for Monetary Union: Assessing Progress in the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).” Politics & Policy 44 (6): 1192‐1212. https://doi.org/10.1111/polp.12183 Asongu, Simplice A. 2016. “Determinants of Growth in Fast‐Developing Countries: Evidence from Bundling and Unbundling Institutions.” Politics & Policy 44 (1): 97‐134. https://doi.org/10.1111/polp.12148/full Cerami, Alfio. 2011. “Social Mechanisms in the Establishment of the European Economic and Monetary Union.” Politics & Policy 39 (3): 345‐372. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1747-1346.2011.00294.x/full

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“…The provision of good-quality and timely information is a central requisite for democracy (Facchini 2019;Judge 2014;Urbanati 2008). Access to information underpins the principle of transparency, and also informs assessments of performance, as stakeholders require information in order to be able to scrutinise the costs and benefits of options and determine whether they meet their objectives.…”

Section: Findings: Information Provision and Policy Rationalementioning

confidence: 99%

Australian local government’s contribution to good governance on major projects: increasing information, participation and deliberation

Vries

2021

CJLG

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Decision-making for major projects is often outside the legal remit of local governments in Australia. Nevertheless, local governments are the legitimate representatives of their communities and as such, can potentially make an important contribution to the decision-making process. However, little is known about how they may do so. This paper addresses that gap by analysing two case studies: Coal Seam Gas projects in northern New South Wales and the proposed East West Link tunnel in Melbourne. The research finds that local governments can contribute to good governance by increasing the quality and availability of information, community participation, and opportunities for local deliberation. However, this study also found a number of barriers to local governments making these contributions, which can disincentivise and limit local advocacy. The paper suggests there may be a range of benefits to be gained by reducing those barriers.

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The Democratic Crisis and the Knowledge Problem

Cited by 8 publications

References 35 publications

Happiness and Public Spending

Happiness and Public Spending

The “Isms” of Regional Integration: What Do Underlying Interstate Preferences Hold for the ECOWAS Union?

Australian local government’s contribution to good governance on major projects: increasing information, participation and deliberation

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