The role of agencies in policy-making

Abstract

There is an extensive literature on the proliferation of agencies and the delegation of authority to such bodies across different countries. Much of this research asks whether New Public Management (NPM)-style agencification reforms have been implemented according to the original objectives, and what consequences-intended or unintended-the reforms have produced. Yet much of this research lacks an explicit link to the literature on the policymaking functions of public bureaucracies and their interactions with elected politicians. What are the consequences of agencification for the policy process at large? What policy relevant tasks do agencies perform, to what extent are they involved in policy-making, and what factors influence the quality and quantity of their participation? This introductory article gives an overview of key concepts such as ''public agencies'' and ''policy autonomy'' and the research literature. Moreover, it critically discusses relevant theoretical perspectives, outlines the articles included in this themed issue and argues for a more systematic and theoretically guided analysis of agencies' role in policy-making.

The involvement of agencies in policy formulation: Explaining variation in policy autonomy of federal agencies in Germany

“…However, anecdotal evidence and a growing body of empirical literature suggest that federal agencies are frequently involved in policy formulation (Bach, 2010;Döhler, 2007;Elder & Page, 1998Handke, 2010Handke, , 2012Pehle, 1998). This observation is confirmed by studies from other countries (see Bach, Niklasson, & Painter, 2012 for a discussion of this literature).…”

Η Αλλαγή Οργανωτικών Προτύπων Στη Δημόσια Διοίκηση: Η Μεταρρύθμιση (;) Των Γραφειοκρατικών Δομών Σε Συνθήκες Δημοσιονομικής Προσαρμογής

“…Σε αυτό το πλαίσιο, ο οργανωτικός διαχωρισμός που προτείνεται στη λογική της εκχώρησης αρμοδιοτήτων σε οιονεί ανεξάρτητους φορείς βρίσκει την πιο χαρακτηριστική εκδήλωσή του στο σχήμα εντολέα -εντολοδόχου (principal-agent) (Common, 1995: 138-140). Η εν λόγω διάκριση, σχηματικά ως συμβατική εκχώρηση από τον εντολέα (απόφαση) στον εντολοδόχο (υλοποίηση), υπονοεί εν μέρει και το διαχωρισμό των σταδίων του κύκλου πολιτικής, μεταξύ του σχεδιασμού (πολιτική) και της εφαρμογής (διοίκηση) (Bach, Niklasson, andPainter, 2012˙ Verschuere andVancoppenolle, 2012).…”

Expectations, Trust, and ‘No Surprises’: Perceptions of Autonomy in New Zealand Crown Entities

“…In some jurisdictions, ‘agency’ constitutes a generic term covering all kinds of public sector organisations below the politically accountable Minister, and not just executive public sector agencies headed by non‐political appointees (Bach et al. :184). The New Zealand approach corresponds more to Pollitt et al.’s definition of agency are: a) at arm's length from the main hierarchical spines of ministries, b) carry out public tasks at national level, c) their core staff are public servants (albeit not necessarily civil servants), d) (in principle) financed by the state budget, e) subject to some administrative law procedures (Pollitt et al.…”