The Political Uses of Expert Knowledge: Immigration Policy and Social Research - Hardcover

Boswell, Christina

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0521517419 ISBN 13: 9780521517416

Publisher: Cambridge University Press, 2009

Synopsis

Why do politicians and civil servants commission research and what use do they make of it in policymaking? The received wisdom is that research contributes to improving government policy. Christina Boswell challenges this view, arguing that policymakers are just as likely to value expert knowledge for two alternative reasons: as a way of lending authority to their preferences; or to signal their capacity to make sound decisions. Boswell develops a compelling new theory of the role of knowledge in policy, showing how policymakers use research to establish authority in contentious and risky areas of policy. She illustrates her argument with an analysis of European immigration policies, charting the ways in which expertise becomes a resource for lending credibility to controversial claims, underpinning high-risk decisions or bolstering the credibility of government agencies.

About this title

Book Description:

Why do politicians and civil servants commission research, and what use do they make of it in policymaking? The received wisdom is that research contributes to improving government policy. This book challenges this view, arguing that policymakers are just as likely to value expert knowledge to establish authority in contentious areas of policy.

About the Author:

Christina Boswell is Senior Lecturer in Politics at the School of Social and Political Studies, University of Edinburgh.

About this edition

• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Publication date: 2009
• ISBN 10: 0521517419
• ISBN 13: 9780521517416
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 280