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International benchmarking: Politics and policy-super-1

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  • Kathleen C. Dominique
  • Ammar Anees Malik
  • Valerie Remoquillo-Jenni

Abstract

As policy-makers search for signposts to guide the design and implementation of successful public policies, international benchmarking is increasingly viewed as an attractive source of inspiration and policy learning. Yet, despite its popularity, its claims as a technique for policy learning are surprisingly understudied. This paper critically examines the use of international benchmarking as a policy-making tool and draws insights from structured interviews with a diverse range of policy-makers, researchers, and academics. First, the study found that rather than being used as a tool for policy learning, international benchmarking is more often employed to steer political agendas. Second, there is a notable resistance on the part of policy-makers to adopt the 'lessons' of international comparisons, often on the basis of claims of 'exceptionalism'. Finally, the appeal of rankings, league tables, and best practices can gloss over important contextual factors that inform the policy learning process, crowding out other valuable modes of policy learning. Copyright The Author 2013. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com, Oxford University Press.

Suggested Citation

  • Kathleen C. Dominique & Ammar Anees Malik & Valerie Remoquillo-Jenni, 2013. "International benchmarking: Politics and policy-super-1," Science and Public Policy, Oxford University Press, vol. 40(4), pages 504-513, February.
  • Handle: RePEc:oup:scippl:v:40:y:2013:i:4:p:504-513
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    File URL: http://hdl.handle.net/10.1093/scipol/scs128
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    Cited by:

    1. Petrović, Marijana & Bojković, Nataša & Stamenković, Mladen & Anić, Ivan, 2018. "Supporting performance appraisal in ELECTRE based stepwise benchmarking model," Omega, Elsevier, vol. 78(C), pages 237-251.
    2. Lozano Maya, Juan Roberto, 2013. "The United States experience as a reference of success for shale gas development: The case of Mexico," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 62(C), pages 70-78.

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