Policy benchmarking: a tool of democracy or a tool of authoritarianism?

摘要

Purpose - This paper seeks to examine the relationship between policy benchmarking, democracyrnand authoritarianism.rnDesign/methodology/approach - The paper uses theoretical investigation of differentrnmethodological perspectives of policy benchmarking and their relationship with principles ofrndemocracy and authoritarianism and analysis of the case of the European Union (EU) on the basis ofrnempirical data.rnFindings - Identifies two methodological perspectives of policy benchmarking: the first, groundedrnon the principle of learning and the bottom-up approach, is close to democracy; the second, based onrnthe principle of copying and the top-down approach, is close to authoritarianism. The application ofrnpolicy benchmarking in the EU so far appears to include elements of both democracy andrnauthoritarianism.rnResearch limitations/implications - The paper is not exhaustive as regards methodologicalrnapproaches to policy benchmarking and theories of democracy and authoritarianism.rnPractical implications - Crucial methodological and ethico-political implications for the use ofrnbenchmarking in the enlarged EU of 25.rnOriginality/value - This original piece of work provides clear answer to the question of relationshiprnbetween policy benchmarking, democracy and authoritarianism. The paper contributes to academicrndebate of public policy, offering, at the same time, practical methodological help to policy-makers.