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Comparative analysis : principles and approaches. Course European Social Policy. Comparative analysis in public and social policy: theories, methods, examples. Overview of methods frequently used to study social policy Comparative analysis: principles, theories, approaches - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
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Comparative analysis:principles and approaches
Course European Social Policy
3 Comparative analysis 2
Comparative analysis in public and social policy: theories, methods, examples Overview of methods frequently used
to study social policy Comparative analysis: principles,
theories, approaches Example of comparative analysis:
Representative survey of the 25 EU Member States plus Bulgaria, Rumania and Turkey: Quality of life in Europe
3 Comparative analysis 3
Overview of methods frequently used to study social policy Case studies (configurative approach: in-deep „thick“
studies) Event analysis Statistical data analysis Interviews Process analysis Representative surveys / Public opinion polls Expert surveys / Focus groups Comparative analysis (broad, but shallower approach:
more descriptive studies)
Case studies can be more culturally specific, can allow for more insight and more in-depth theoretical explanation; comparative analysis enables learning from natural experiments conducted at the expense of others; nevertheless, it is more rigid and selective in terms of data to be processed.
3 Comparative analysis 4
Comparative analysis: principles and approaches „Without comparisons to make, the mind doesn‘t know how to
proceed.“Alexis de Tocqueville: Democracy in America
„By accessing one situation against another, we gain a better perspective on our current situation as well as the options and constraints we face. We learn through comparing.“
„Comparative public policy is the study of how, why, and what effect different governments pursue particular courses of action or inaction.“
Heidenheimer, Heclo, Adams: Comparative Public Policy
„Only comparative empirical research will adequately disclose the fundamental properties that unite or divide modern welfare states.“
Esping- Andersen: The Three Worlds of Welfare Capitalism
3 Comparative analysis 5
Comparative analysis: principles and approaches Reasons for comparing social policies Different theoretical perspectives in
comparing social policies Core problems of comparative analysis Types of studies in Comparative
Politics Analyzing Welfare States: different
research strategies Methodological considerations
3 Comparative analysis 6
Reasons for comparing social policies To acquire a deeper understanding of how
governments and institutions operate as they deal with social problems, what is the role of other actors, and what are the effects of social policies. Do social policies matter?
To look for guidance in designing better social policies.
To have better evidence for harmonization and coordination of national social policies within the European Union
Comparative analysis thus occupies a middle ground between the pure science and the applied science, engaged in policy consultancy and advice.
3 Comparative analysis 7
Levels of comparison Macro-level Theories
Systems theory: elements, relations, borders, external factors, feedback loops, black boxes with inputs and outputs, open vs. closed systems… (Easton, Ashby, …cybernetics)
Structural functionalism: states and other institutions have evolved with identifiable structures and functions: regulation, distribution, responsiveness, interest aggregation etc. (Parsons, Coleman)
Meso-level Theories Policy styles: governments differ in their ability to impose
their policy goals and in their willingness to act in preventive pro-active way (Richardson)
Theory of bureaucracy: bureaucracies exist in rather similar formats, executing similar functions, and develop specific relations to political class (Weber, Blondel, Osborne-Gaebler)
3 Comparative analysis 8
Different theoretical perspectives in comparing social policiesSocioeconomic
modernization theories Wilensky Cutwright JackmannThe states respond to
general processes of economic growth and societal modernization with basically similar social policies
Cultural values approach Rimlinger King Caim-Caudle Almond VerbaThe influence of deeply
embedded cultural ideas and patterns of behavior (e.g., civic culture) arising from distinctive histories on Social Welfare
3 Comparative analysis 9
Different theoretical perspectives in comparing social policiesA party government
framework Castles Rose PetersCapacities of political
institutions (governments and political parties) to translate the preferences of citizens into social policies
Political class struggle model
Gough Offe StephensThe Welfare State is
shaped by the contest between the business forces driven by capitalist accumulation and labour and its representation
3 Comparative analysis 10
Different theoretical perspectives in comparing social policiesNeo-corporatism Schmitter Lehmbruch WilenskyThe capacity to frame,
coordinate and implement social policies depends on strongly organized interest blocks (labour, professionals, employers) and institutions of interest intermediation
Institutionalism Weyr Heclo Skocpol Olsen MarchInstitutional
frameworks (nation states, Welfare States, societal institutions) influence social policy making
3 Comparative analysis 11
Different theoretical perspectives in comparing social policiesSocial capital theory PutnamThe civic engagement of
people through civic associations effects the functioning of democratic institutions
Processes of social policy making
Jones PetersSocial policy is understood as
a sequence of problem identification, social policy formation, implementation, and evaluation
Globalization and Europeanization
Wright BougetOperational space
of the European Welfare States is increasingly defined by external factors of economic globalization and the European Union‘s legal and political framework
3 Comparative analysis 12
How to mix theories up? Example: model of social policy formation and implementation
Cultural traditions
Political ideologies
SOCIAL POLICY FORMATION AND IMPLEMENTATION
Attitudes and behaviourof the population
Political and economic institutions
Economic resources
3 Comparative analysis 13
Core problems of comparative analysis
Galton‘s problem: how to sort out diffusion of cultural or institutional patterns from other causes of difference/similarity
How to integrate the behaviour and other qualities of individuals and the characteristics of collective entities
How to select cases: Problem of similarity/diversity: as most comparisons prefer
selecting most similar cases, Skocpol, Przeworski and Teune are in favour of the selection of most different ones
Problem of „theory fit“ How to „maximize experimental variance, minimize error
variance, and control extraneous variance“ (Peters) How to apply several theories in one research perspective?
3 Comparative analysis 14
Types of studies in Comparative Politics - according to Peters (1998) Single country studies: (with some reference to
other countries) Process and institution studies: policy process
cycles, tax policies Typology formation studies: Welfare State
typologies Regional statistical analyses: Welfare states in
Western Europe, Latin America, transition countries…; Eurostat, Laeken indicators
Global statistical studies: United Nations, OECD, World Bank, World Health Organization, International Labour Organization overviews; Luxembourg Income Study
3 Comparative analysis 15
Comparing Welfare States: different research strategies Social expenditure approach (% of GDP)
Wilenski, Mahler, KatzData are mostly easily available. Nevertheless,
this approach does not cover services in kind; it does not analyze the cost-efficiency of social schemes and programs and their real impact on clients‘ social situation
Rights approach (benefits level, criteria of eligibility, the extent of selectivity/universal coverage)Korpi, Palme, Kangas
Based on social rights theory; it is very demanding in terms of data availability.
3 Comparative analysis 16
Comparing Welfare States: different research strategies The concept of decommodification
Esping-AndersenThe analysis of the extent to which benefit eligibility
depends on access to the market. The more universal benefits are, the more decommodified is the Welfare State: „The outstanding criterion for social rights must be the
degree to which they permit people to make their living standards independent on pure market forces.“ (The Three Worlds of Welfare Capitalism, 1990:3)
Case studies over time (e.g. national monographs dealing with social security system)
Deep analysis of the development of particular case (mostly state), based on the mix of quantitative and qualitative methods.
3 Comparative analysis 17
Comparing Welfare States: different research strategies
The mixed approachThe selection of some key indicators corresponding to research
questions, combined with institutional/right approachExample: set of variables to analyze the similarities and
differences between social services delivery in Germany, Denmark, and the Netherlands Regulatory structure Financing structure Delivery structure Consumer power(Alber)
Do you know what will be your research strategy in preparing your paper?
3 Comparative analysis 18
Methodological considerationsWhat are the dimensions of a comparison: Objects (nations, regions, „natural groups“,
sectors of services, coverage, rights, expenditures, programmes, Welfare State regimes…)
Time periods Combination of objects and time periodsCore questions: How to find identical entities to be compared in
different countries (objects, language) How to set up indicators able to represent
analyzed social phenomena How to cope with rapidly changing conditions How to deal with the complexity of issues (in other
words, how to simplify without unbearable distortions)
3 Comparative analysis 19
Example of comparative analysis:
Representative survey „Quality of Life in Europe“Conducted by the European Foundation for the
Improvement of Living and Working Conditions, Dublin, Ireland as a representative Pan-European empirical survey (random sampling, about 1000 persons aged 18 and over from each country) in summer 2003.
28 European countries involved:EU15 – 15 EU Member States before May 2004NMS (AC10) – 10 New Member States since May
2004CC3 – 3 candidate countries: Romania, Bulgaria,
TurkeyAvailable at
http://www.eurofound.ie/publications/files/EF04105EN.pdf
3 Comparative analysis 20
Quality of Life in Europe Quality of life is a multi-dimensional concept,
refers to each individual‘s life situation, and is measured by objective as well as subjective indicators
Six core areas covered: Employment Economic resources Family and household Community life and social participation Health and health care Knowledge, education and training
3 Comparative analysis 21
GDP per capita (PPS) at country level(Source: European Commission 2004, Fahey, T. 2004)
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
160
Turk
ey
Rom
ania
Bul
garia
.
Latv
ia
Lith
uani
a
Est
onia
Pol
and
Slo
vaki
a
Hun
gary
.
Cze
ch R
ep
Gre
ece
Mal
ta
Slo
veni
a
Por
tuga
l
Cyp
rus
Spa
in
.
Sw
eden U
K
Fran
ce
Ger
man
y
Italy
Finl
and
Bel
gium
Net
herla
nds
Aus
tria
Irela
nd
Den
mar
k
Luxe
mbo
urg
Index EU25=100
3 Comparative analysis 22
Household poverty (% at risk of poverty) at country level and EU level - below 60% of country medians and EU25 median Source: EQLS data, Fahey, T. (2004)
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
Turk
ey
Rom
ania
Bul
garia
.
Latv
ia
Lith
uani
a
Est
onia
Pol
and
Slo
vaki
a
Hun
gary
.
Cze
ch R
ep
Mal
ta
Gre
ece
Slo
veni
a
Por
tuga
l
Cyp
rus
Spa
in
.
Sw
eden U
K
Fran
ce
Ger
man
y
Italy
Finl
and
Bel
gium
Net
herla
nds
Aus
tria
Irela
nd
Den
mar
k
Luxe
mbo
urg
% poor re country medians
% poor re EU25 median
3 Comparative analysis 23
Life satisfaction(Source: Böhnke, 2004)
4,55,4
5,55,65,65,7
5,95,96,0
6,16,26,2
6,56,8
6,97,07,1
7,27,27,27,27,37,3
7,47,57,5
7,77,77,77,8
8,08,4
0,0 1,0 2,0 3,0 4,0 5,0 6,0 7,0 8,0 9,0
BGLTLVTR
CC3SKEEHUPT
AC1PLROCZGRFRSI
EU25CY
ITEU15
DEMTUKBEESNLIE
LUATSEFI
DK
life satisfaction, mean
3 Comparative analysis 24
Happiness(Source: Böhnke, 2004)
5,8
6,4
6,4
6,4
6,5
6,6
6,8
6,8
6,9
6,9
7,1
7,1
7,2
7,3
7,4
7,5
7,5
7,6
7,6
7,6
7,7
7,7
7,8
7,8
7,8
7,9
7,9
7,9
8,0
8,1
8,1
8,3
0,0 1,0 2,0 3,0 4,0 5,0 6,0 7,0 8,0 9,0
BG
LV
LT
TR
SK
CC3
EE
PT
PL
AC10
HU
RO
CZ
FR
SI
EU25
IT
GR
EU15
DE
NL
BE
CY
UK
ES
AT
MT
SE
LU
IE
FI
DK
happiness, mean
3 Comparative analysis 25
Alienation(Source: Böhnke, 2004)
2,84
2,75
2,57
2,44
2,43
2,34
2,32
2,22
2,17
2,07
2,02
1,96
1,95
1,94
1,81
1,8
1,78
1,71
1,71
1,66
1,62
1,59
1,56
1,54
1,48
1,45
1,4
1,39
1,32
1,29
1,19
0,83
0 0,5 1 1,5 2 2,5 3
BG
SL
TK
LI
CC3
GR
PL
AC10
LV
HU
SI
RO
EE
CY
MT
CZ
IT
BE
PT
EU25
UK
FR
EU15
DE
LU
SE
ES
NL
IE
FI
AT
DK
alienation index, mean
3 Comparative analysis 26
Subjective well-being in country groups (Source: Böhnke, 2004)7,2
7,6
1,6
6,1
6,9
2,2
5,6
6,6
2,4
Life satisfaction Happiness Alienation
me
an
EU 15 AC 10 CC 3
3 Comparative analysis 27
Life satisfaction and GDP per capita (Source: Böhnke, 2004)
3 Comparative analysis 28
Happiness and GDP per capita
(Source: Böhnke, 2004)
3 Comparative analysis 29
Alienation and GDP per capita
(Source: Böhnke, 2004)
3 Comparative analysis 30
Comparative analysis in public and social policy: theories, methods, examplesCore literature:Heidenheimer, A.J. – Heclo, H. – Adams, C.T.: Comparative Public Policy. The
Politics of Social Choice in America, Europe, and Japan. New York, St. Martin Press 1990.
Complementary literature:Alber, J.: A Framework for the Comparative Study of Social Services. In: Journal
of European Social Policy, 1995, Vol. 5, No. 2, pp. 131-149. Böhnke, P.: Patterns of Subjective Quality of Life in the Enlarged Europe, Berlin,
Social Science Center, October 2004. Powerpoint presentation at the seminar.
Castles, F.G.: Comparative Public Policy. Patterns of Post-war Transformation. Cheltenham, Edward Elgar 1998.
Fahey, T.: Living Standards Graphs, Berlin, Social Science Center, October 2004. Powerpoint presentation at the seminar.
Kenneth, P. (ed.): A Handbook of Comparative Social Policy. Mabbett, D. – Bolderson, H.: Theories and Methods in Comparative Social Policy. In: Clasen, J. (ed.): Comparative Social Policy: Concepts, Theories and methods. Oxford, Blackwell 1999, pp. 34-56.
Peters, B.G.: Comparative Politics. Theory and Methods. New York, Palgrave 1998.
Quality of Life in Europe. Dublin, European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions 2004. Available at http://www.eurofound.ie/publications/files/EF04105EN.pdf.