Does Policy Work Matter?Does Policy Work Matter?

Freda Donoghue

Centre for Nonprofit Management

Trinity College Dublin

September 2007

© Centre for Nonprofit Management, Trinity College Dublin

Does Policy Work Matter?Does Policy Work Matter?

The concept of substantive uncertaintyThe potential for substantive uncertainty in

the Republic of IrelandPolicy infrastructure in Republic of Ireland

– social partnershipWhat lessons for voluntary and community

sector in Northern Ireland?

Concept of Substantive UncertaintyConcept of Substantive Uncertainty

C&V actors play important political role through substantive uncertainty (Habib 2007)

Social movements enable mobilisation of citizens and contestation of elites

Politicians kept accountable to citizens and democracy kept on its toes

SU creating uncertainty about the outcome or substance of politics

Exploration of potential of SU in RoI through analysis of data gathered on roles and values in Mapping Project

Support for Roles and ValuesSupport for Roles and Values

Arts, Culture and Heritage

Sports and Recreation

Education and Research

Health

Social Services

Environment

Development and Housing

Advocacy, Law and Politics

Philanthropy

International Development

Religious Groups

TUs, Business & Prof Assns

ICN

PO

0 5 10 15 20 25 30

3

4

5

4

4

4

4

5

3

4

5

4

3

3

4

5

5

3

5

5

4

4

4

3

2

2

3

4

3

3

3

5

3

3

2

4

4

5

5

4

5

4

5

5

3

4

5

4

1

1

2

2

2

2

2

3

2

3

2

2

2

1

2

2

3

2

3

4

3

3

3

3

Maintaining/changing values

Identifying/addressing social needs

Influencing national policy

Providing way for interaction

Political value

Economic value

Potential for SU (elite contestation Potential for SU (elite contestation and civic enablement)and civic enablement)

Societal Factor

Maintaining and/or changing values in society

Identifying and/or addressing present or new social needs

Providing a way through which individuals can interact with their community to produce a better society for all

Power FactorInfluencing or involvement in

national policy development Political values – where

actions are motivated by a view on the distribution of political power in society

Economic values – where actions are motivated by a view on the distribution of economic power in society’

Support for Societal and Power FactorsSupport for Societal and Power Factors

Arts, Culture and Heritage

Sports and Recreation

Education and Research

Health

Social Services

Environment

Development and Housing

Advocacy, Law and Politics

Philanthropy

International Development

Religious Groups

TUs, Business & Prof Assns

ICN

PO

0.00 0.10 0.20 0.30 0.40 0.50 0.60

MeanPower Factor

Societal Factor

Organisational Characteristics Significant Organisational Characteristics Significant for each Factorfor each Factor

Societal Factor Est’d since 1986 Urban & rural beneficiaries Civil rights and advocacy,

Education, Community development and housing

Paid staff Volunteers State funding

Power Factor Est’d since 1971 National remit Income greater €40k Civil rights and advocacy,

International development Paid staff Volunteers

Social Partnership in Republic of Social Partnership in Republic of IrelandIreland

Roots in wage rounds, revived in 1987: third sector in form of TUs, employer & farmer reps – constituencies’ interests

Concerned with wage growth, industrial relations, taxation policy, macro-economic environment

C&V Pillar since 1996 – several important CVOs esp. in areas of poverty & disadvantage

C&V have broadened scope of Partnership Agreements– Childcare, local development, housing on agenda at times e.g.

Less political clout than other Pillars – do not have power to veto; seen to be more ‘residual’; and in tougher economic times less potential for negotiation

Lessons for the V&C Sector in NI?Lessons for the V&C Sector in NI?

Policy work is important – creates SU which is important democratic function as enables mobilisation of citizens and contestation of elites

Institutional route (like social partnership) Extra-institutional route Potential for SU associated with certain requirements:

– Organisational resources Age Income Human resources

– Organisational field also important

ConclusionsConclusions Potential for substantive uncertainty recognised among

third sector actors in RoI – two sides of SU coin (societal and power factors)

Different kinds of organisations associated with different factors – age, income, human resources and organisational field important

In social partnership, although C&V Pillar less room for manoeuvre, has broadened scope of National Agreements to include voices of societally disadvantaged

Policy infrastructure changing in Northern Ireland – potential for policy action and efficacy by voluntary and community actors

Does Policy Work Matter?Does Policy Work Matter?

Freda Donoghue

Centre for Nonprofit Management

Trinity College Dublin

September 2007