Decision Process and Policy Outcome: An Attempt to Conceptualize the Problem at the Cross-National Level

Most policy studies at the cross-national level take as the dependent variable aspects of the policy outcome which are relatively easy to conceptualize and to measure, items such as expenditure levels or the number of personnel involved. As first steps in a research enterprise such variables certainly have their importance. But from a normative perspective, it seems more interesting to ask to what extent a particular policy outcome fulfils the demands of the various groups in a population. It is also interesting to see how the various societal groups react to a particular policy outcome: do they accept the outcome, or do they fight it by engaging in protests? Thus, I will suggest two dimensions for the policy outcome as the dependent variable: (1) demand fulfilment of the various societal groups; and (2) protest activities which emerge once a policy has been implemented.