scholarly journals BACKDOOR POLITICS: PERMITTING INFORMALITY FOR FORMAL DEVELOPMENT IN AFRICAN DEMOCRACIES

TEME ◽  
2020 ◽  
pp. 209
Author(s):  
Aluko Opeyemi Idowu
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Public Policy ◽  
Decision Making ◽  
General Term ◽  
Political Processes ◽  
Formal Development ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Decision Making Processes ◽  
Public Politics ◽  
East West

The backdoor politics is a general term behind the study of effective and responsible public policy from the perspective of informal political processes. The study analyses informal input determinants that affect responsible public politics. The methodology utilises data from the Afrobarometer database, assessing three countries in Africa, from the east, west and southern parts – Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa, respectively. The starting point of this methodology is that policy is responsible and effective if it integrates formal and informal decision-making processes and decision implementation.

scholarly journals Governance and socio-political issues in management of acid mine drainage in South Africa

Water Policy ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 77-89
Author(s):  
Charles Mpofu ◽  
Thabiso John Morodi ◽  
Johan Petrus Hattingh
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Decision Making ◽  
Acid Mine Drainage ◽  
Environmental Governance ◽  
Mine Drainage ◽  
Mineral Resources ◽  
Political Issues ◽  
Acid Mine ◽  
Black Economic Empowerment ◽  
Decision Making Processes

Abstract The water resources in South Africa are threatened by current and past mining practices such as abandoned and closed mines. While mining is considered valuable for its contribution to this country's gross domestic product, its polluting effects on water and land resources have been criticised as unsustainable. Acid mine drainage (AMD) is one specific public health and ecological issue that has stirred debates in political and social circles in this country. This paper examines the scalar politics and other related dimensions of water and AMD governance, thereby revealing evidence of deep-rooted challenges regarding the governance of water and mineral resources. The specific focus is on the socio-political context of labour laws and Black Economic Empowerment and the decision-making processes adopted by government. Thus, this paper has implications for the improvement of environmental governance and decision-making strategies and the adoption of a national strategy for adequately addressing AMD and related policy issues.

Public Policies

2020 ◽  
pp. 509-525
Author(s):  
Joan Subirats ◽  
Ricard Gomà
Keyword(s):  
Public Policy ◽  
Decision Making ◽  
European Union ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Policy System ◽  
The Public ◽  
Decision Making Processes ◽  
Policy Style ◽  
Over Time ◽  
Operational Aspects

The objective of this chapter is to trace and present the main characteristics of the public policy system in Spain, incorporating policy change over time, as well as the policy style that has characterized its different stages. The transition between Francoism and democracy generated significant continuities and discontinuities both in the decision-making processes and in the actors’ system. The full incorporation into the European Union also involved significant changes in content, processes and networks. Finally, the impacts of the 2007 crisis and the effects of globalization and technological change also generated significant disruptions that will also be incorporated. The chapter will distinguish the conceptual, substantive, and operational aspects of the public policy system in Spain, as well as the main elements of the multilevel government. This aspect is especially complex in the Spanish case, given the combination of Europeanization of policies and the very remarkable regional decentralization generated by 1980.

Concrete Theory: An Emerging Political Method

1990 ◽  
Vol 84 (3) ◽  
pp. 927-940 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ruth Lane
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Political Science ◽  
Logical Structure ◽  
Strategic Decision ◽  
Strategic Decision Making ◽  
Political Elites ◽  
Economic Rationality ◽  
Political Processes ◽  
Strong Interest ◽  
Decision Making Processes

Concrete theory is defined by a cluster of attributes—emphasis on governmental and other political elites, on strategic decision-making processes freed from narrow notions of economic rationality, and on a concern with the environment and institutions within which choice occurs. The approach has been observed recently in all research-oriented subfields within political science. Eight exemplars are discussed. Concrete theory demonstrates a novel combination of strong interest in empirical political processes, formalized through models that emphasize logical structure and depth explanation. Its effect is to bridge the gap between behavioral and institutional approaches.

scholarly journals Law and software analysis: A step closer to resolving investment disputes through artificial intelligence?

2021 ◽  
Vol 59 (2) ◽  
pp. 123-140
Author(s):  
Milena Galetin ◽  
Anica Milovanović
Keyword(s):  
Artificial Intelligence ◽  
Decision Making ◽  
Legal Issues ◽  
The Other ◽  
Judicial Discretion ◽  
Applicable Law ◽  
Software Analysis ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Decision Making Processes ◽  
Larger Sample

Considering the possibility of using artificial intelligence in resolving legal disputes is becoming increasingly popular. The authors examine whether soft ware analysis can be applied to resolve a specific issue in investment disputes - to determine the applicable law to the substance of the dispute and highlight the application of artificial intelligence in the area of law, especially in predicting the outcome of a dispute. The starting point is a sample of 50 arbitral awards and the results of previously conducted research. It has been confirmed that soft ware analysis can be useful in decision-making processes, but not to the extent that arbitrators could exclusively rely on it. On the other hand, the development of an algorithm that would predict applicable law for different legal issues required a much larger sample. We also believe that the existence of different legal and factual circumstances in each case, as well as the personality of the arbitrator and arbitral/judicial discretion are limitations of the application of artificial intelligence in this area.

scholarly journals The compound role of a coordinator for home-dwelling persons with dementia and their informal caregivers: A qualitative study

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stein Erik Fæø ◽  
Oscar Tranvåg ◽  
Rune Samdal ◽  
Bettina S. Husebo ◽  
Frøydis Bruvik
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Clinical Pathways ◽  
Informal Caregivers ◽  
Safety Net ◽  
Fundamental Rights ◽  
Care And Support ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Decision Making Processes ◽  
Person With Dementia

Abstract Background: As the number of persons with dementia is increasing, there has been a call for establishing sustainable clinical pathways for coordinating care and support for this group. The [email protected] trial is a multicomponent, multi-disciplinary intervention combining learning, innovation, volunteer support and empowerment. To implement the intervention, a municipal coordinator has a crucial role. Implementation research on multicomponent interventions is complex and we conducted a qualitative study, aiming to explore the coordinator role and how a coordinator may empower persons with dementia in decision-making processes. Methods: Qualitative program evaluation combined with a hermeneutic interpretive approach was chosen as methodological approach. Sixteen dyads, consisting of the person with dementia and their main informal caregiver received the intervention by two coordinators. Of these, six dyads, three informal caregivers alone and the two care coordinators along with their leader, in sum, eighteen persons, participated in in-depth or focus group interviews, sharing their experiences after six months intervention.Results: We found that the coordinators fulfilled three functions for the participating dyads: being a safety net, meaning that the dyads might have little needs at the moment, but found safety in a relation to someone who might help if the situation should change; being a pathfinder, meaning that they supported the dyads in finding their way through the complicated system of care and support services; being a source for emotional care and support, meaning that they listened, acknowledged and gave counsel in times of distress. The coordinators emphasized that a trusting leader and work environment was crucial for them to fulfill these functions. We also found that it was challenging for the coordinators to build a relation to the persons with dementia in order to pursue genuine empowerment in decision-making processes. Conclusion: We found the framework for follow-up to be a feasible starting point for establishing empowering coordination and a sustainable care pathway for persons with dementia and their informal caregivers. More meeting points between coordinator and person with dementia should be pursued in order to fulfill the persons’ fundamental rights to participate in decision-making processes.

scholarly journals Transparency and the efficiency of multi-actor decision-making processes: an empirical analysis of 244 decisions in the European Union

2020 ◽  
pp. 002085232093675
Author(s):  
Gijs Jan Brandsma ◽  
Albert Meijer
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
European Union ◽  
Systematic Research ◽  
Complex Relationship ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Political Complexity ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Decision Making Processes ◽  
The One ◽  
Legislative Processes

Studies into decision-making suggest the existence of a tension between transparent and efficient decision-making. It is assumed that an increase in transparency leads to a decline in the efficiency of decision-making processes; however, this assumption has not been tested empirically. This study provides a starting point for investigating the complex relationship between transparency and efficiency on a set of 244 European Union legislative processes between 2014 and 2019. It finds that transparency neither speeds up nor slows down decision-making processes, and that the efficiency of the lawmaking process depends on political complexity. Our results call for further systematic research into the causes and consequences of decision-making transparency. Points for practitioners In decision-making processes, transparency is widely seen as both a blessing and a curse. On the one hand, it is seen as a virtue that fosters legitimacy and participation; on the other hand, it is said to reduce decisional efficiency. However, our study of 244 European Union legislative processes shows that transparency has no effect on their duration. This calls for a re-appreciation of the effects of transparency in decision-making processes.

Perpetuating Social Injustice Through Neglecting the Voices of the Non-Unionized Teachers

2021 ◽  
pp. 106-121
Author(s):  
Shuti Steph Khumalo
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Decision Making ◽  
South African ◽  
Teacher Unions ◽  
The South ◽  
Non Union ◽  
Teachers Union ◽  
Trade Unionism ◽  
Decision Making Processes ◽  
South African Education

The democratic dispensation elevated teacher trade unionism to unparalleled and unprecedented levels in the South African education system. The education laws of South Africa recognize teacher unions which meet the South African labor-related requirements. The three powerful teacher unions that recognize and represent thousands of teachers are the South African Democratic Teachers Union (SADTU), the National Professional Teachers' Organisation of South Africa (NAPTOSA), and the Suid Afrikaanse Onderwysersunie (SAOU). These recognized teacher unions represent their members in decision making processes and not teachers who are non-union members. This chapter is based on an in-depth evaluation of extant literature, and further, it is interpretive in approach and employs social justice as the theoretical and conceptual framework.

7. Discretion and deference

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Timothy Endicott
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
National Security ◽  
Public Expenditure ◽  
Foreign Affairs ◽  
Political Responsibility ◽  
Political Processes ◽  
Decision Making Processes ◽  
Administrative Body ◽  
The Law

This chapter discusses how judges can defer in appropriate ways to administrative authorities on some issues, while still opposing abuses of power. The chapter explains why the courts defer massively to administrative authorities on some issues involving foreign affairs and national security, public expenditure, planning, and legal and political processes. The mere fact that the law has allocated the power to an administrative body gives rise to a presumption that a court should not interfere unless there is a ground for review other than that the court would have reached a decision; the extent to which a court ought to defer is determined by the three reasons for allocating power to an administrative body: the body’s expertise, its political responsibility, and/or its decision-making processes.

The Activity of Commercial Lobbies in the Israeli Knesset During 2015–2018: Undermining or Realising the Democratic Foundations?

2019 ◽  
Vol 73 (3) ◽  
pp. 692-709 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erez Cohen
Keyword(s):  
Public Policy ◽  
Decision Making ◽  
Political Participation ◽  
Research Data ◽  
Equal Opportunities ◽  
Decision Making Processes ◽  
Research Findings ◽  
Business Entities ◽  
Democratic Principles ◽  
Real Danger

Abstract The growth of political lobbyism in democratic countries in recent years is characteristic of Israel as well. This activity makes it possible for private and business entities to influence decision-making processes and the shaping of public policy in these countries. Side by side with its contribution to important democratic principles such as representing interests and political participation, it is also strongly criticised and said to be a real danger to democracy; due to this hazard, many countries, including Israel normally regulate this activity by means of the law. In contrast, some argue that this activity reflects one of the basic tenets of democracy, which includes freedom of occupation and equal opportunities. This study examines measures of commercial lobbying in Israel during the 20th Knesset’s term, presenting the number of lobbies, number of clients and degree of centralisation in this commercial industry and weighing the research data against democratic principles in general and Israel’s values. The research findings show an increase in Israel’s lobbyist activity during the 20th Knesset’s term (2015–2018), both with regard to the number of lobbyists and with regard to the number of clients represented by them.

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