Implementation research: a short background

In the last chapter, I explored some recent contributions to political philosophy, in the hope of finding some assistance in determining what the state should do, and what its responsibilities vis-à-vis the citizens should be. We must now join battle with our other central question, namely: what can the state do? As mentioned earlier, my purpose here is to consider what lessons can be drawn from the empirical research of the last two decades on the implementation of public programs in the area of welfare policy. This will take us, in no uncertain terms, away from the beautiful and often elegant analysis of principle characteristic of political philosophy to the harshly empirical analysis of a world not always free from blemish – that of public policy. Sensitive readers, especially those who find political reality to be disagreeably bereft of principle, at times irrational, and therefore insignificant, are hereby warned.

Research on the implementation of public policy began in connection with the launching of “The Great Society” by the Johnson Administration in the United States during the 1960s. The discovery of massive and enduring poverty in the world's richest country, together with the very great confidence – characteristic of the time – in the ability of public policy to change society, set off a social policy offensive unprecedented in the modern history of the United States.