Hidden agendas

Shining a Light on the Dark Side of Public Policy

Bibliographic Data

ID6290487
AuthorsAllan Mcconnell (0000-0002-0755-9291, The University of Sydney, corresponding author)
Year2018
Volume25
Issue12
Pages1739-1758
Publication date2018-12-02
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of European Public Policy (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1350-1763 • E-ISSN: 1466-4429
PublisherInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/13501763.2017.1382555
OpenAlexW2762665674
LanguageEN
Citations received24
References cited39

Allegations of hidden policy agendas are a perennial feature of public policy-making, but there are no works in existence dealing directly and systematically with this crucial phenomenon. This article seeks to address this gap with a novel heuristic allowing analysts to approach the topic of hidden agendas. It addresses issues of methodology: Who hides? What is hidden? Who do they hide it from? Tools/techniques used to hide. Consequences of hidden agendas that remain hidden. What happens once hidden agendas are exposed? It also examines normative dimensions, including the possibility that hidden agendas may actually serve the business of governing. The article also puts forward four criteria for ascertaining with a degree of plausibility the existence of a hidden agenda. It applies these criteria to a specific case study and argues that there is considerable potential for applying it to other cases

Economics · Epistemology · Great Rift · Heuristic · Law and economics · Normative · Phenomenon · Political science · Positive economics · Public policy · Sociology · Computer Science · Law · Policy Transfer and Learning · Political Influence and Corporate Strategies · Public Policy and Administration Research · Artificial Intelligence

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