Rethinking Evidence-Based Policy

Abstract

Much of public policy-making has in recent decades been driven by the idea of evidence-based policy – policy rooted in the principles of social science and, more specifically, empirical validation based on social and behavioural science. This article argues that evidence-based policy, while helping to improve the design of policies aimed at changing individual behaviour, lacks a recognition that individual and group choices are embedded in social relationships and institutions. There is a risk of over-relying not only on probabilistic models that under-state our condition of ‘radical uncertainty’ but also on data and metrics that are disconnected from the everyday experience of workers and citizens whose needs and interests cannot always be measured or managed. Since uncertainty is a fundamental reality of both the economy and social life, policy-making needs robust conceptual narratives to make sense of numbers and provide a sound basis on which to make decisions allied to ethical judgements.

Commentary: Proposals for a New Fiscal Framework

“…Fiscal policy must confront uncertainty by presenting a central case for the path of both GDP growth and debt. Since uncertainty is a fundamental reality of the economy, politics and society, both policy makers and political decision makers need narratives to make sense of numbers (Pabst, 2021a). Amid the white noise of ever-more information (including new, real-time data), sound decision making requires a robust conceptual framework in order to provide clear signals.…”

Translating research into policy and action

“…Second, effective evidence‐based policy making will require improved capacity to capture meaningful data on socio‐economic and environmental impacts 25,26 . In many cases, policy studies may not elucidate the more nuanced everyday experiences of individuals 25 that impact health, such as changes in employment opportunities, safety, or social networks 26 .…”

“…25,26 In many cases, policy studies may not elucidate the more nuanced everyday experiences of individuals 25 that impact health, such as changes in employment opportunities, safety, or social networks. 26 Organizations and systems may also act unpredictably and there needs to be more nuanced data on the impacts of programs and policies on organizational change, which in turn can influence provider and patient experience. 27,28 Improved data availability across different population, organizational, and end-user experiences can increase the value of research efforts among communities and are invaluable for understanding why a policy did or did not have its intended effect.…”

“…Second, effective evidence‐based policy making will require improved capacity to capture meaningful data on socio‐economic and environmental impacts 25,26 . In many cases, policy studies may not elucidate the more nuanced everyday experiences of individuals 25 that impact health, such as changes in employment opportunities, safety, or social networks 26 . Organizations and systems may also act unpredictably and there needs to be more nuanced data on the impacts of programs and policies on organizational change, which in turn can influence provider and patient experience 27,28 .…”

Penerapan Konsep Forest City dalam Upaya Mencapai Carbon Neutral pada Pembangunan Ibu Kota Negara

“…Dalam rangka mencapai tujuan tersebut, maka pemerintah mengarahkan pembangunan melalui pembangunan rendah karbon. Berdasarkan materi mengenai pembangunan rendah karbon oleh Kementerian PPN/Bappenas, dalam upaya pembangunan rendah karbon harus memperhatikan prinsip dasar yang diantaranya adalah: (Atjeng Kadaryana, 2018) , 1(1), 1-12 Kebijakan publik dalam beberapa dekade terakhir didorong oleh gagasan kebijakan berbasis bukti, yakni kebijakan yang berakar pada prinsip-prinsip ilmu sosial dan, lebih khusus lagi, validasi empiris berdasarkan ilmu sosial dan perilaku (Pabst, 2021), dalam ini kebijakan mengenai pembangunan rendah karbon yang dilakukan dengan suatu konsep sistem yang dapat saling berhubungan satu dengan yang lain dengan berbagai cara yang sesuai dengan keperluan (Dinas Komunikasi Informatika, 2022). 2) huruf d Undang-Undang Nomor 3 Tahun 2022 tentang Ibu Kota Negara, menyebutkan bahwa pembangunan dan pengembangan IKN dilaksanakan berdasarkan prinsip keberlanjutan pembangunan.…”