Anis B. Brik - Böcker

Public Policy in the Arab World dissects the layered social, economic, and governance issues that define the Middle East and Northern African (MENA) region and evaluates whether policy is helping or hindering social vulnerabilities in the Arab World. Paying special attention to the Arab Spring protests and the COVID-19 pandemic, this insightful book an interdisciplinary approach to examining governance capacity, legitimacy, and the challenges encountered in crisis response.Leading scholars delve into key social challenges within the MENA region, including the impact of Syrian refugees on Egyptian migrant workers, responses to the COVID-19 pandemic, and labor market policies in Bahrain. Chapters also examine issues such as poverty, inequality, child maltreatment, youth disengagement, and gender disparities, highlighting the urgent need for transformative changes in government to tackle these. Featuring rigorous case studies that offer tangible insights into complex governance issues, Public Policy in the Arab World seeks to influence policy and to ignite a dialogue that moves policy closer to a world where basic human rights are not a luxury but a guarantee.Providing an all-encompassing analysis of the governance of social vulnerabilities, this book is a vital reference point for students and scholars of public policy and political science, sociology and development studies. Its focus on public policy evaluation and real-world case studies also makes it an invaluable read for policymakers looking to understand and address social governance issues in the MENA region.

Anis Ben Brik examines the state of the institutionalization of evaluation across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), providing a rigorous analysis of both historical progress and contemporary practices. Utilising Reinhard Stockmann et al.’s well-established theoretical and methodological approach, he focuses on core political, social and professional systems to thoroughly assess evaluation frameworks within diverse national contexts.Brik explores strategies for embedding evaluation within governance frameworks to strengthen accountability, transparency and evidence-based decision-making. He investigates the development of the field through the establishment of capacity-building initiatives along with academic programs and professional networks, emphasizing the role of civil society organizations and public engagement in fostering inclusive and participatory systems. Presenting a detailed cross-country comparison of 13 MENA countries, the book identifies regional trends as well as systemic challenges and opportunities to advance evaluation institutionalization.Students and scholars of evaluation studies, public and social policy, public administration, governance and Middle Eastern and North African politics will greatly benefit from this innovative book. It is also an essential resource for policymakers, practitioners and government officials in monitoring and evaluation, planning and community development, as well as civil society organizations and NGOs.