PUBLIC POLICY ANALYSIS

The subject of the course is the analysis and evaluation of public policies, i.e. the set of actions related to the solution of a collective problem that is generally considered to be of public interest. Through the study of how policies originate and develop, the course aims to provide students with the fundamental concepts and methodologies to understand how the dynamics of public decision-making are articulated. The course, therefore, provides an important opportunity to understand the complex processes of public governance.

Why do some public problems are treated and others not? Who decides which solutions should be taken and how? Why policy outcomes are not satisfactory? What tools can be used to support the policy-making process? The course aims to provide students with concepts and methodologies to understand how public policies are generated and developed. At the end of the course, students are expected to critically analyze the various stages of policymaking, to identify actors, interests and networks, to select and use the most appropriate policy tool for each stage of the policy process.

None: however, interest in the dynamics of public policies and their critical issues is recommended.

The course deals with the general theory of public policy. It is aimed to explain what a policy is, how it is created, which actors participate in the policy process, the type of relationships developed between them, and the impact of processes of Europeanization, multi-level governance and internationalization on national policy contexts. Particular attention will be devoted to the study of policy change in Italy.

La Spina A. (2020), Politiche pubbliche. Analisi e valutazione, 2 ed., Il Mulino, Bologna.
Bobbio L., Pomatto G., Ravazzi S. (2017), Le politiche pubbliche. Problemi, soluzioni, incertezze e conflitti, Mondadori, Milano.
Rivista Italiana di Politiche Pubbliche, numero 3, 2021, dicembre.

The final examination will consist of a written test designed to assess knowledge of the examination programme.
As a rule, the examination consists of a few open-ended questions (usually four questions for one hour).
For attending students there is a specific examination procedure, which will be explained during the lectures.

The course will be developed with lectures involving the active involvement of students. The discussion of case studies will be privileged over the theoretical illustration of the subject. For attending students, it is possible to conduct exercises in which public policy case studies will be analysed.

Italian

written

This subject deals with topics related to the macro-area "Cities, infrastructure and social capital" and contributes to the achievement of one or more goals of U. N. Agenda for Sustainable Development