Skip to main content
Top
Published in:

2023 | OriginalPaper | Chapter

1. Why Consider Science in International Policy?

Author : Jessica Espey

Published in: Science in Negotiation

Publisher: Springer International Publishing

Activate our intelligent search to find suitable subject content or patents.

search-config
loading …

Abstract

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development was devised to provide a framework for collective action on pressing global economic, social and environmental challenges. It was informed by an unprecedented consultation, with inputs from a wide range of actors including scientists and other experts. But what value was given to these inputs? How were they balanced against political interests? And what mechanisms and institutional arrangements were put in place to attract and support the inputs of knowledge actors? As climate change and ecological crisis intensify the necessity for science and other forms of systematic study is undoubtedly growing, but is this recognised in the institutions of global governance? This book takes a systematic look at the role of evidence, particularly scientific evidence, in international policy-making. It traces the processes that culminated in the 2030 Agenda, teasing out the role of expert actors within the deliberations and in doing so examines the role of science within the senior-most institution of global governance, the UN General Assembly.

Dont have a licence yet? Then find out more about our products and how to get one now:

Springer Professional "Wirtschaft+Technik"

Online-Abonnement

Mit Springer Professional "Wirtschaft+Technik" erhalten Sie Zugriff auf:

  • über 102.000 Bücher
  • über 537 Zeitschriften

aus folgenden Fachgebieten:

  • Automobil + Motoren
  • Bauwesen + Immobilien
  • Business IT + Informatik
  • Elektrotechnik + Elektronik
  • Energie + Nachhaltigkeit
  • Finance + Banking
  • Management + Führung
  • Marketing + Vertrieb
  • Maschinenbau + Werkstoffe
  • Versicherung + Risiko

Jetzt Wissensvorsprung sichern!

Springer Professional "Technik"

Online-Abonnement

Mit Springer Professional "Technik" erhalten Sie Zugriff auf:

  • über 67.000 Bücher
  • über 390 Zeitschriften

aus folgenden Fachgebieten:

  • Automobil + Motoren
  • Bauwesen + Immobilien
  • Business IT + Informatik
  • Elektrotechnik + Elektronik
  • Energie + Nachhaltigkeit
  • Maschinenbau + Werkstoffe




 

Jetzt Wissensvorsprung sichern!

Springer Professional "Wirtschaft"

Online-Abonnement

Mit Springer Professional "Wirtschaft" erhalten Sie Zugriff auf:

  • über 67.000 Bücher
  • über 340 Zeitschriften

aus folgenden Fachgebieten:

  • Bauwesen + Immobilien
  • Business IT + Informatik
  • Finance + Banking
  • Management + Führung
  • Marketing + Vertrieb
  • Versicherung + Risiko




Jetzt Wissensvorsprung sichern!

Footnotes
1
See for example statements made by the UN Secretary General, the 2016 report of the UNESCO Scientific Advisory Board and guidance recently issued for countries on the importance of national science-policy interfaces (UNSG, 2021, UNESCO, 2016, UNDESA, 2021).
 
2
A UNGA-mandated coalition of self-organising children and youth representatives to the UN. Visit: https://​www.​unmgcy.​org/​
 
3
The IAEG was formed in 2004 to share data on child mortality, improve methods for child mortality estimation, report on progress towards child survival goals and enhance country capacity to produce timely and properly assessed estimates of child mortality. Visit: https://​childmortality.​org/​about
 
4
The Friends of Governance group is an informal government group created in 2011. ‘The main objective of the Friends group is to create an informal space for governments to have discussions among themselves, backed up by expert papers when requested, on issues relating to good governance and the Institutional Framework for Sustainable Development (IFSD) in relation to the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. It builds on a rich tradition of ˜Friends of Groups” in New York which serves as a useful informal space for governments to discuss ideas and papers relating to a particular topic’ (Friend of Governance 2022; para 2). Visit: https://​friendsofgoverna​nce.​org/​
 
5
‘The Group of 77 (G-77) was established on 15 June 1964 by seventy-seven developing countries signatories of the “Joint Declaration of the Seventy-Seven Developing Countries” issued at the end of the first session of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) in Geneva….Although the members of the G-77 have increased to 134 countries, the original name was retained due to its historic significance’. The G77 provides ‘the means for the countries of the South to articulate and promote their collective economic interests and enhance their joint negotiating capacity on all major international economic issues within the United Nations system, and promote South-South cooperation for development’ (G77 2022; paras 1-2).
 
7
After the set of 17 goals had been decided upon by the Open Working Group (OWG) (in 2014), the deliberation process was informally redubbed the ‘SDG negotiations’. Both Post-2015 and SDG negotiations are used interchangeably throughout this report.
 
8
Once the OWG had concluded upon a set of SDGs (in 2014), the process was informally renamed the SDG negotiation process.
 
Literature
go back to reference Allan, B. (2018). Scientific cosmology and international orders, Cambridge studies in international relations. Cambridge University Press. Allan, B. (2018). Scientific cosmology and international orders, Cambridge studies in international relations. Cambridge University Press.
go back to reference Anyebe, A. A. (2017). An overview of approaches to the study of public policy. International Journal of Political Science, 4(1), 208–217. Anyebe, A. A. (2017). An overview of approaches to the study of public policy. International Journal of Political Science, 4(1), 208–217.
go back to reference Berridge, V., & Stanton, J. (1999). Science and policy: Historical insights. Social Science Medicine, 49(9), 1133–1138. Berridge, V., & Stanton, J. (1999). Science and policy: Historical insights. Social Science Medicine, 49(9), 1133–1138.
go back to reference Bulmer, M. (1982). The use of social research. Allen and Unwin. Bulmer, M. (1982). The use of social research. Allen and Unwin.
go back to reference Davies, P. (2004). Sociology and policy science: Just in time? The British Journal of Sociology, 55(3), 447–450.CrossRef Davies, P. (2004). Sociology and policy science: Just in time? The British Journal of Sociology, 55(3), 447–450.CrossRef
go back to reference Davies, H. T. O., Nutley, S. M., & Smith, P. C. (Eds.). (2000). What works? Evidence-based policy and practice in public services. Policy Press. Davies, H. T. O., Nutley, S. M., & Smith, P. C. (Eds.). (2000). What works? Evidence-based policy and practice in public services. Policy Press.
go back to reference Deacon, B. (2016). Assessing the SDGs from the point of view of global social governance. Journal of International and Comparative Social Policy, 32(2), 116–130.CrossRef Deacon, B. (2016). Assessing the SDGs from the point of view of global social governance. Journal of International and Comparative Social Policy, 32(2), 116–130.CrossRef
go back to reference Dodds, F., Donoghue, D., & Roesch, J. L. (2016). Negotiating the sustainable development goals. Routledge.CrossRef Dodds, F., Donoghue, D., & Roesch, J. L. (2016). Negotiating the sustainable development goals. Routledge.CrossRef
go back to reference Fukuda-Parr, S. (2019). Keeping out extreme inequality from the SDG agenda – The politics of indicators. Global Policy, 10(S1), 61–69.CrossRef Fukuda-Parr, S. (2019). Keeping out extreme inequality from the SDG agenda – The politics of indicators. Global Policy, 10(S1), 61–69.CrossRef
go back to reference Gauch, H. G. (2003). Scientific method in practice. Cambridge University Press. Gauch, H. G. (2003). Scientific method in practice. Cambridge University Press.
go back to reference Haas, P. M. (1992). Introduction: Epistemic communities and international policy coordination. International Organisation, 46(1), 1–35.CrossRef Haas, P. M. (1992). Introduction: Epistemic communities and international policy coordination. International Organisation, 46(1), 1–35.CrossRef
go back to reference Helmke, G., & Levitsky, S. (2004). Informal institutions and comparative politics: A research agenda. Perspectives on Politics, 2(4), 725–740.CrossRef Helmke, G., & Levitsky, S. (2004). Informal institutions and comparative politics: A research agenda. Perspectives on Politics, 2(4), 725–740.CrossRef
go back to reference Ichimura, H., & Kawaguchi, D. (2017). Evidence-based policymaking: Independence and human resource development are the key. Tokyo. Ichimura, H., & Kawaguchi, D. (2017). Evidence-based policymaking: Independence and human resource development are the key. Tokyo.
go back to reference Kamau, M., Chasek, P., & O’Connor, D. (2018). Transforming multilateral diplomacy: The inside story of the sustainable development goals. Routledge.CrossRef Kamau, M., Chasek, P., & O’Connor, D. (2018). Transforming multilateral diplomacy: The inside story of the sustainable development goals. Routledge.CrossRef
go back to reference Kanie, N., & Biermann, F. (Eds.). (2017). Governing through goals: Sustainable development goals as governance innovation. MIT Press. Kanie, N., & Biermann, F. (Eds.). (2017). Governing through goals: Sustainable development goals as governance innovation. MIT Press.
go back to reference Kingston, C., & Caballero, G. (2009). Comparing theories of institutional change. Journal of Institutional Economics, 5(2), 151–180.CrossRef Kingston, C., & Caballero, G. (2009). Comparing theories of institutional change. Journal of Institutional Economics, 5(2), 151–180.CrossRef
go back to reference Kraft, M., & Furlong, S. (2007). Public policy: Politics, analysis and alternatives (2nd ed.). CQ. Kraft, M., & Furlong, S. (2007). Public policy: Politics, analysis and alternatives (2nd ed.). CQ.
go back to reference Lin, V., & Gibson, B. (Eds.). (2003). Evidence-based health policy: Problems and possibilities. Oxford University Press. Lin, V., & Gibson, B. (Eds.). (2003). Evidence-based health policy: Problems and possibilities. Oxford University Press.
go back to reference Mawuko-Yevugah, L. (2010). Governing through developmentality: The politics of international aid reform and the (re)production of power, neoliberalism and neocolonial interventions in Ghana. University of Alberta. Mawuko-Yevugah, L. (2010). Governing through developmentality: The politics of international aid reform and the (re)production of power, neoliberalism and neocolonial interventions in Ghana. University of Alberta.
go back to reference Mohammad, N. & Farjana, Y. (2018). Participation as a human right: A rights-based approach to development. In Awis, M.L. (ed) Stakeholders, governance and responsibility (Developments in corporate governance and responsibility, Vol. 14, pp. 33–45). Emerald Publishing Limited. Mohammad, N. & Farjana, Y. (2018). Participation as a human right: A rights-based approach to development. In Awis, M.L. (ed) Stakeholders, governance and responsibility (Developments in corporate governance and responsibility, Vol. 14, pp. 33–45). Emerald Publishing Limited.
go back to reference Molina, M. & Rowland, F. (1974). Stratospheric sink for chlorofluoromethanes: chlorine atom-catalysed destruction of ozone. Nature 249, 810–812. Molina, M. & Rowland, F. (1974). Stratospheric sink for chlorofluoromethanes: chlorine atom-catalysed destruction of ozone. Nature 249, 810–812.
go back to reference Nevo, I., & Slonim-Nevo, V. (2011). The myth of evidence-based practice: Towards evidence-informed practice. The British Journal of Social Work, 41(6), 1176–1197.CrossRef Nevo, I., & Slonim-Nevo, V. (2011). The myth of evidence-based practice: Towards evidence-informed practice. The British Journal of Social Work, 41(6), 1176–1197.CrossRef
go back to reference North, D. C. (1990). Institutions, institutional change and economic performance. Cambridge University Press.CrossRef North, D. C. (1990). Institutions, institutional change and economic performance. Cambridge University Press.CrossRef
go back to reference Parkhurt, J. (2017). The politics of evidence: From evidence-based policy to the good governance of evidence. Routledge Studies in Governance and Public Policy. Parkhurt, J. (2017). The politics of evidence: From evidence-based policy to the good governance of evidence. Routledge Studies in Governance and Public Policy.
go back to reference Peters, G. (2005). Institutional theory in political science. Continuum. Peters, G. (2005). Institutional theory in political science. Continuum.
go back to reference Revi, A. (2016). Afterwards: Habitat III and the sustainable development goals. Urbanisation, 1(2), x–xiv.CrossRef Revi, A. (2016). Afterwards: Habitat III and the sustainable development goals. Urbanisation, 1(2), x–xiv.CrossRef
go back to reference Richardson, E. T. (2020). Pandemicity, COVID-19 and the limits of public health science. BMJ Global Health, 5, e002571.CrossRef Richardson, E. T. (2020). Pandemicity, COVID-19 and the limits of public health science. BMJ Global Health, 5, e002571.CrossRef
go back to reference Russell, B. (1926a). Theory of knowledge, Encyclopaedia Britannica (Vol. 2, 13th ed., pp. 642–645). The Encyclopaedia Britannica Company Ltd. Russell, B. (1926a). Theory of knowledge, Encyclopaedia Britannica (Vol. 2, 13th ed., pp. 642–645). The Encyclopaedia Britannica Company Ltd.
go back to reference Stone, D. (2002). Policy paradox: The art of political decision making. W.W. Norton and Co. Stone, D. (2002). Policy paradox: The art of political decision making. W.W. Norton and Co.
go back to reference Stone, D. (2019). Making global policy (1st ed.). Cambridge University Press.CrossRef Stone, D. (2019). Making global policy (1st ed.). Cambridge University Press.CrossRef
go back to reference Strydom, W. F., Funke, N., Nienaber, S., Nortje, K., & Steyn, M. (2010). Evidence-based policymaking: A review. South African Journal of Science, 106(5/6), 249.CrossRef Strydom, W. F., Funke, N., Nienaber, S., Nortje, K., & Steyn, M. (2010). Evidence-based policymaking: A review. South African Journal of Science, 106(5/6), 249.CrossRef
go back to reference Sutcliffe, S., & Court, J. (2005). Evidence-based policymaking: What is it? How does it work? What relevance for developing countries? ODI Working Paper. Sutcliffe, S., & Court, J. (2005). Evidence-based policymaking: What is it? How does it work? What relevance for developing countries? ODI Working Paper.
go back to reference Valencia, S. C., Simon, D., Croese, S., Nordqvist, J., Oloko, M., Sharma, T., Taylor Buck, N., & Versace, I. (2019). Adapting the sustainable development goals and the new urban agenda to the city level: Initial reflections from a comparative research project. International Journal of Urban Sustainable Development, 11(1), 4–23.CrossRef Valencia, S. C., Simon, D., Croese, S., Nordqvist, J., Oloko, M., Sharma, T., Taylor Buck, N., & Versace, I. (2019). Adapting the sustainable development goals and the new urban agenda to the city level: Initial reflections from a comparative research project. International Journal of Urban Sustainable Development, 11(1), 4–23.CrossRef
go back to reference Vandemoortele, J. (2018). From simple-minded MDGs to muddle-headed SDGs. Development Studies Research, 5(1), 8389.CrossRef Vandemoortele, J. (2018). From simple-minded MDGs to muddle-headed SDGs. Development Studies Research, 5(1), 8389.CrossRef
go back to reference Waqa, G., Mavoa, H., Snowdon, W., Moodie, M., Nadakuitavuki, R., McCabe, M., & Swinburn, B. (2013). Participants’ perceptions of a knowledge-brokering strategy to facilitate evidence-informed policymaking in Fiji. BMC Public Health, 13(1). Waqa, G., Mavoa, H., Snowdon, W., Moodie, M., Nadakuitavuki, R., McCabe, M., & Swinburn, B. (2013). Participants’ perceptions of a knowledge-brokering strategy to facilitate evidence-informed policymaking in Fiji. BMC Public Health, 13(1).
go back to reference Ward, M., & Mowat, D. (2012). Creating an Organisational culture for evidence-informed decision making. Healthcare Management Forum, 25(3), 146–150.CrossRef Ward, M., & Mowat, D. (2012). Creating an Organisational culture for evidence-informed decision making. Healthcare Management Forum, 25(3), 146–150.CrossRef
go back to reference Wesselink, A., Colebatch, H., & Pearce, W. (2014). Evidence and policy: Discourses, meanings and practices. Policy Sciences, 47(4), 339–344.CrossRef Wesselink, A., Colebatch, H., & Pearce, W. (2014). Evidence and policy: Discourses, meanings and practices. Policy Sciences, 47(4), 339–344.CrossRef
go back to reference Woods, N. (2007). Multilateralism and building stronger international institutions. In A. Ebrahim & E. Weisband (Eds.), Global accountabilities: Participation, pluralism, and public ethics (pp. 27–44). Cambridge University Press.CrossRef Woods, N. (2007). Multilateralism and building stronger international institutions. In A. Ebrahim & E. Weisband (Eds.), Global accountabilities: Participation, pluralism, and public ethics (pp. 27–44). Cambridge University Press.CrossRef
go back to reference UNDP. (2012a). Millennium development goals report. United Nations. UNDP. (2012a). Millennium development goals report. United Nations.
go back to reference UNESCO. (2016). The future of scientific advice to the United Nations, a summary report to the secretary-general of the United Nations from the scientific advisory board to the UN. UNESCO. UNESCO. (2016). The future of scientific advice to the United Nations, a summary report to the secretary-general of the United Nations from the scientific advisory board to the UN. UNESCO.
go back to reference United Nations. (2013a). A new global partnership: Eradicate poverty and transform economies through sustainable development. The report of the high-level panel of eminent persons on the Post-2015 development agenda. United Nations. United Nations. (2013a). A new global partnership: Eradicate poverty and transform economies through sustainable development. The report of the high-level panel of eminent persons on the Post-2015 development agenda. United Nations.
go back to reference United Nations. (2015a). Transforming our world: The 2030 agenda for sustainable development, A/RES/70/1. United Nations. United Nations. (2015a). Transforming our world: The 2030 agenda for sustainable development, A/RES/70/1. United Nations.
Metadata
Title
Why Consider Science in International Policy?
Author
Jessica Espey
Copyright Year
2023
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-18126-9_1