Policy Analysis in High Inequalities in Asia : Critical and Pragmatic Perspectives

Providing an analytical framework through illustrations of real-world practices, this novel and important volume investigates policy analysis in the context of high inequalities in Asia from critical and pragmatic perspectives.

Through reflective review, cases, and lessons, this book provides discussions and develops a context-sensitive analytical framework: mapping spaces of deliberation from formal to semi-formal and informal; understanding narratives that travel between policy actors; and staying conscious of inequalities in knowledge and socio-political status. With particular focus on the Asian context, this book addresses intellectual and practical discussions in public policy, political science, public administration, and Asian studies. Chapters provide several illustrations and case studies that examine inclusive participation and its transformative potential in policy analysis in Asian settings. Ultimately, this book argues that despite inequalities and constrained possibilities, policy analysis is still able to affect what is politically and socially imaginable, and to be genuinely sensitive to contextual realities. Given that high inequality is a global phenomenon, the conclusions and findings will be widely applicable.

Offering in-depth research and discussion on doing policy analysis in Asia, the book will be relevant to scholars, researchers and postgraduate students in the fields of policy, political science, public administration, and Asian studies more broadly. Graduate students and policymakers may also find this book of use.

Noe John Sacramento is Assistant Professor of Public Policy and Political Science at the University of the Philippines (UP), Cebu. He is also a nonresident Adjunct Faculty at the School of Public Policy, Chiang Mai University, Thailand. John has done research on deliberative policy analysis, the technical and participatory nexus in smart city planning, informality, dramaturgy and emotions in deliberation, and the critical pragmatist logic in policy analysis in high inequalities. He is also interested in the developments of critical policy studies in Asia, the interpretive and constructivist turn in public policy across the region, and how policy knowledge is contested and challenged in the face of power.

Piyapong Boossabong is Associate Professor and Acting Director at the School of Public Policy, Chiang Mai University, Thailand. He also serves as an editor of the Critical Policy Studies journal. His research interests include deliberative approaches, interpretive policy analysis in practice, and inclusive policy processes in weak democratic systems. His work focuses particularly on the politics of empirical evidence, ideological commitments, contextual experiences (local or situated knowledge), normative assumptions, and emotional expressions in public policy and governance.

Pobsook Chamchong is Assistant professor and Acting Deputy Director at the School of Public Policy, Chiang Mai University, Thailand. Her research focuses on urban governance, ecosystem approaches to policy innovation, collaborative governance, inclusive policy design, policy translation, and critical foresight for policy transformation.