How social policy travels: A refined model of diffusion

Abstract

Building on a critical engagement with the diffusion literature, this article introduces a refined model of diffusion that sheds light on crucial but so far neglected aspects of the diffusion process. First, by introducing four analytically distinct constellations of diffusion, we highlight important differences between the participating units of a diffusion process. Therefore, the model also allows for analysing very early developments of social policy under the conditions of colonialism and relations between states of equal or different economic strength, and under conditions of continuing post-colonial ties. Second, we conceptualize diffusion as consisting of three stages which involve different actors from both units: the stage of perception and translation, the stage of cooperation and conflict and the stage of collective decision-making. Third, we argue that the dominant focus of diffusion research on the macro-level obscures that people, money and procedures are key promoters of diffusion. From this refined model of diffusion, it becomes possible to analyse diffusion processes in a more detailed way. We demonstrate the added value of our model by analysing the development of education policy in Chile and Argentina in the 19th century, and the establishment of project funding for social policy purposes under conditions of colonialism in the British Empire in the mid-20th century.

The emergence of the national medical assistance scheme for the poorest in Mali

“…The role of these ideas in the construction, emergence and transfer of public policies (Béland and Cox, 2011;Kuhlmann et al, 2019) was also con rmed in this West African country's social policies (Béland and Ridde, 2016). The issue of the compulsory nature of membership of the CBHI and the state's role of stewardship of the health system had been central to the emergence of the UHC in Rwanda (Chemouni, 2018;Habiyonizeye, 2013), in contrast to in Mali or Senegal (Ridde et al, 2018).…”

“…This highlights the importance of the appropriation of public policies by African governments and leaders and the weight of the ideas and funding from international partners in the eld of health (Gautier and Ridde, 2017;Kuhlmann et al, 2019) and social protection (Foli, 2016). In the case in point, and contrary to the norm, the national party was in a position to be able to stand strong so that its ideas on the role of the social sector could prevail.…”

The framing of IMF and World Bank in political reform debates: The role of political orientation and policy fields in the cases of Russia and Ukraine

“…It also comprises all three orders of social learning identified by Hall (1993), that is, a change in the arrangement and setting of policy instruments (first-order learning), the choice of new policy instruments and new techniques (second-order learning) and changes in 'the hierarchy of goals and set of instruments employed to guide policy' (third-order learning) (p. 284). For a more elaborated discussion, see Kuhlmann et al (2019). 2.…”

The emergence of the national medical assistance scheme for the poorest in Mali

“…This highlights the importance of the appropriation of public policies by African governments and leaders and the weight of the ideas and funding from international partners in the eld of health [41,42] and social protection [21]. In the case in point, and contrary to the norm, the national party was in a position to be able to stand strong so that its ideas on the role of the social sector could prevail.…”

“…The role of these ideas in the construction, emergence and transfer of public policies [42,45] was also con rmed in this West African country's social policies [46]. The issue of the compulsory nature of membership of the CBHI and the state's role of stewardship of the health system had been central to the emergence of the UHC in Rwanda [24,47], in contrast to in Mali or Senegal [48].…”