Issue № 42. February 2014

Сomparative analyses of national evaluation systems of public policy in the USA, Canada, the United Kingdom and the Netherlands

PhD in Public Administration, post-doctoral scholar, Department of Public Policy and Political Process Management, President of Ukraine National Academy of Public Administration; Head of the board of directors, Ukrainian Evaluation Association.
E-mail: irene.kravchuk2010@gmail.com

Evaluation of public policy is an instrument of accumulation of knowledge and experience. It provides feedback on government’s actions, ensures the implementation of the principles of good governance (efficiency, transparency, accountability).

Evaluation systems in the USA, Canada, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom are examples of “advanced” evaluation models which explore different options for evaluation capacity development. For the analysis of the experience of foreign countries, we had compiled a list of research questions concerning factors that influenced the evaluation development: legal norms; approaches to the evaluation of public policies and programs; links of evaluation with strategic planning, budgeting process, auditing and monitoring.

In the United States, Canada, the UK, the Netherlands evaluation performed three functions: informational, budgetary and managerial. Legal requirements for evaluation were a major impetus for the development of evaluation in these countries.

Evaluation of programs provides clearer goals, indicators and budget spending in these countries than the evaluation of public policy, which requires an integrated approach and evaluation at the strategic level. Program evaluation is better developed and widely spread in all these countries (the USA, Canada, the UK and the Netherlands). Evaluation of public policy in certain areas is carried out mainly at the central level.

Keywords

Program evaluation, evaluation of public policy.