Thesis (M.M. (Public and Development Management))--University of the Witwatersrand, Faculty of Commerce, Law and Management, Graduate School of Public and Development Management, 2015. / Development aid plays a significant role on the African continent in a number of ways which include, but is not limited to, financing budget deficits, conflict resolution and humanitarian assistance. South Africa, China, India and Brazil are among the “four main South powers” emerging on the global scene with aid policies designed at providing development aid to African Countries [Tjønneland, 2013: 1]. This study has examined the establishment and implementation of the African Renaissance and International Co-operation Fund (ARF) by analysing the policy processes that led to its creation and operation, from 2000 to 2009. The principle behind the development of such an act was South Africa’s desire to show its commitment in assisting in resolving Africa’s socio-economic challenges that impede development in Africa. ARF has suffered inconsistency in policy making and implementation. The study has found that the challenges in ARF policy processes were attributed to governance issues, issues of accountability, temptation to be used as a state fund for political interest, weakness in the institutional framework, absence of autonomy in management, absence of monitoring and evaluation, political power and poor administration systems.

Intersectoral collaboration for health is widely recognised as a critical component of interventions to address complex public health issues. However, there is limited research that has examined how intersectoral approaches are formulated and implemented, especially in low- and middle-income countries. As a result, although the literature is populated with calls for action, little exists that can inform the evidence on how to sustain intersectoral action for health. This thesis is a case study of intersectoral action in the Western Cape Province of South Africa, examining the unfolding policy formulation and implementation processes of an initiative referred to as First 1,000 Days, in the period 2016 to 2019. Within early childhood, the First 1,000 Days (FTD) period presents a favourable window for intersectoral interventions that can ensure positive outcomes from early years of life to adulthood. The FTD initiative emerged in the Western Cape Province of South Africa in response to the growing number of children exposed to the social challenges of violence and of alcohol and drug abuse.

Annually firearms kill more than 30,000 individuals and injure more than 50,000 individuals, resulting in costs of $45 million to over $1 billion in the United States. Traditionally firearms were addressed as a criminal justice problem, but for more than 30 years, public health and injury prevention specialists have worked to address the problem of firearm injuries through surveillance, education, research, and laws. Firearm legislation is multijurisdictional across the federal, state, and local governments, but the majority of activity is at the state levels. Firearm injury prevention efforts must navigate a politically diverse arena dominated by social regulatory politics in order to affect change. This study presents newly analyzed data on seven firearms laws: child access prevention, minimum age to purchase/possess a handgun, stand your ground, large capacity ammunition limits, Saturday night specials and assault weapons bans. A goal of the study was to create a 50 states longitudinal dataset in order to investigate the relationship between internal state political and demographics characteristics and firearm policy diffusion. The study findings are presented across three manuscripts, which address the trends of enactment of the laws, the analysis of the six gun control laws, and an analysis of one permissive firearm law (stand your ground laws). A panel data set was created from publicly available sources for each state from 1993 to 2010. General Estimating Equations (GEE) were used to evaluate the impact of citizen pressures, lobby pressures, legislative characteristics, and demographic data on the adoption of the seven selected laws. Study findings identified waves of adoption of the firearm laws across politically and demographically similar states in the early study years (1993-94) and the later study years (2005-10). States with Democratic state governments were more likely to pass gun control laws while states with Republican state governments were more likely to pass stand your ground laws. Poverty was also a statistically significant variable for the passage of the laws: states with lower poverty levels were more likely to pass gun control laws while states with higher poverty levels were more likely to pass stand your ground laws. However, aside from legislation to ensure consistency with federal law, most states are not responding to the public call for regulation as measured by the enactment of the selected laws. Instead, a trend of permissive firearms laws is rapidly spreading across the 50 states. Firearm injury prevention advocates should not be deterred by political environments. Rather, they should respond to cues to optimize change for injury prevention. Understanding mechanisms for firearm policy adoption, such as the role of legislative characteristics may help researchers and firearm injury prevention advocates focus limited resources to introduce bills in policy-friendly states. This dissertation contributes to the firearm injury prevention literature by applying policy diffusion theories and analysis techniques to firearm injury prevention efforts. Findings support the literature that internal state political and demographic characteristics guide the adoption of firearm laws. / Public Health

Climate change is exerting a profound influence on natural hazards, resulting in increased frequency, intensity, and altered patterns of extreme weather events. These changes pose significant risks to vulnerable populations worldwide. Consequently, it is imperative to adopt hazard mitigation policies to address the impacts of climate change on natural hazards and communities. The adoption of such policies is a complex and dynamic process that requires a thorough understanding of the key factors influencing policy adoption. The United States has experienced a rise in the severity and frequency of floods, necessitating the implementation of comprehensive flood mitigation policies. These policies aim to protect vulnerable communities, safeguard critical infrastructure, and reduce the economic and human costs associated with these natural disasters. Among the various flood mitigation strategies, floodplain property buyout programs have garnered attention. However, there is limited research that examines the factors influencing the adoption of buyout programs at the local government level from a government perspective. This dissertation provides a comprehensive analysis of the adoption process of floodplain property buyout programs at the local level in the United States. The study employs a mixed methods approach to examine the mechanism behind policy adoption and identify the key factors that influence this process. Chapter 1 lays the foundation for the research by defining relevant terms and outlining the characteristics of floodplain property buyout programs in the U.S. Chapter 2 presents a theoretical framework that enhances our understanding of hazard mitigation policy adoption at the local level. The framework is exemplified through case studies of property buyout programs in North Carolina and New Jersey. The case studies conducted in these states offer compelling evidence that supports the proposed framework, which encompasses five-factor categories: hazard problem, social context, institutional capacity, cross-sector collaboration, and policy diffusion. Notably, institutional capacity plays a crucial role in buyout adoption, encompassing individual, organizational, and system capacity. These factors influence the uptake of buyouts and contribute to their success or failure. This exercise gives us valuable insights into the buyout decision making process and suggests avenues for research in the subsequent chapters. Chapter 3 conducts a quantitative analysis to validate the hazard mitigation policy adoption framework. Specifically, it focuses on investigating the factors that influence the adoption of Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) property buyout programs by local governments in Virginia counties. Utilizing logistic regression models and a survey dataset collected from local floodplain managers in the Commonwealth of Virginia, the study reveals that floodplain managers' perception of repetitive flood loss and economic spillovers in neighboring areas significantly impact the adoption of buyout programs. In Chapter 4, we conduct a qualitative approach to delve into the decision-making dynamics in the adoption of floodplain property buyout programs from a government perspective in Virginia. Through semi-structured interviews with 12 experts representing various stakeholders involved in floodplain management, this study demonstrates the variations in the adoption processes among different local governments. The findings underscore the importance of leadership, community population size, floodplain managers' perception of repetitive flood loss, organizational staff capacity, and tax revenue considerations in shaping buyout decisions. It highlights the need for local leadership commitment, empowerment of floodplain managers, and comprehensive approaches to address challenges faced by small communities. The research provides practical guidance to enhance flood risk management practices and promote resilient and sustainable communities. In conclusion, this dissertation contributes to the understanding of hazard mitigation policy adoption at the local level by proposing a theoretical framework and providing empirical evidence through case studies, surveys, and interviews. The findings emphasize the importance of various factors, such as hazard problem, social context, institutional capacity, and policy diffusion, in shaping buyout policy adoption. The implications of this research extend to policymakers, practitioners, and researchers, providing insights into the motivations, obstacles, and strategies surrounding the adoption and implementation of hazard mitigation policies. By considering these factors and employing comprehensive approaches, communities can enhance their resilience and effectively mitigate the impacts of natural hazards. / Doctor of Philosophy / Climate change is causing significant changes in natural hazards, leading to more frequent and intense extreme weather events. These changes pose risks to vulnerable populations worldwide. To address these risks, it is crucial to adopt policies that mitigate the impacts of climate change on natural hazards and communities. This dissertation focuses on the adoption of such policies at the local level in the United States. The study examines the factors that influence the adoption of floodplain property buyout programs, which aim to protect communities and critical infrastructure from the impacts of floods. The research employs a combination of quantitative and qualitative methods to understand the adoption process and identify key factors that shape policy decisions. By studying case studies in North Carolina, New Jersey, and Virginia, the research provides insights into the motivations and obstacles surrounding the adoption of hazard mitigation policies. The findings emphasize the need for strong local leadership, considering community population size, addressing flood loss perceptions, building organizational capacity, and considering tax revenue implications. The research offers practical guidance for policymakers, practitioners, and researchers in enhancing flood risk management practices and promoting resilient and sustainable communities. By addressing the identified factors and adopting comprehensive approaches, communities can improve their resilience to natural hazards. The implications extend to policymakers, practitioners, and researchers, providing valuable insights into the adoption of hazard mitigation policies.

The purpose of this study was to find out about school board decision making regarding the treatment of transgender students in Virginia's public schools' policies. The research questions were (1) What is involved in deciding to adopt policies addressing equitable treatment of, and access to education for, transgender students? (2) What influences school boards' adoption of educational equity policies? Participants and school divisions were selected based on their participation in policy decision making for the equitable treatment of transgender students. Data collection involved a one-on-one interview with a school board member and recordings of local school board meetings, committee meetings, and workshops. Common themes were developed through multiple readings of interview and meeting transcripts. Major findings include policy alignment with beliefs and values, trust between stakeholders, legal status of the policy and related topics, implementation and real-world scenarios, and decision makers' background and experiences. Additional data points evidenced community input, advice of school division staff, timing in relation to other contextual events, the political landscape, and equity discussions also impact school board decision making. Suggestions for policymakers involve focusing on creating systems to ensure equitable access to decision making for varied populations and creating frameworks for impartial decisions when controversy is involved. Implications for practitioners are also explored: (a) learning about policy decision makers' backgrounds, beliefs and experiences; (b) preparing presentations and information based on top factors impacting decision making and (c) focusing on implementation outcomes with community input. These results may impact adoption of educational equity policies more efficiently by school boards, potentially resulting in supporting previously excluded student groups' access to equal education and increased success, no matter their identity. / Doctor of Education / The purpose of this study was to find out about school board decision making regarding the treatment of transgender students in Virginia's public schools' policies. The research questions were (1) What is involved in deciding to adopt policies addressing equitable treatment of, and access to education for, transgender students? (2) What influences school boards' adoption of educational equity policies? A single one-on-one interview was conducted with a school board member, and 15 meeting recordings were transcribed and analyzed through multiple readings. The top 10 factors associated with school board member decision making are reported as findings and data points. Findings include policy alignment with beliefs and values, trust between stakeholders, legal status of the policy and related topics, implementation and real-world scenarios, and decision makers' background and experiences. Considering these findings, policymakers may wish to implement systems to ensure (a) equitable opportunities for people to serve as school board members, (b) trust is built between stakeholders, or (c) community-specific feedback is received. Policymakers may also wish to develop a decision-making framework for equity policy decisions. School division staff and policy advocates could consider these findings in focusing their efforts on aspects they can influence and providing complete and thorough presentations to school board members. By attending to these factors, school division staff and policy advocates may be able to more efficiently have educational equity policies adopted by school boards, potentially resulting in supporting previously excluded student groups' access to equal education and increased success no matter their identity.

No description available.

Public higher education is a large enterprise in the United States. Total state expenditures for higher education totaled nearly $152 billion dollars in FY2008, accounting for over ten percent of total state expenditures and representing the single largest category of discretionary spending in most states (NASBO, 2009). The last three decades have witnessed the introduction of hundreds of pieces of legislation across states which make structural changes to state higher education governance systems (Marcus, 1997; McLendon, Deaton, and Hearn, 2007). Despite the ubiquity of state higher education governance change much remains unknown, both in terms of why states choose to enact reforms as well as the implications of state governance arrangements for institutional performance. This dissertation attempts to fill these critical gaps in knowledge. First, it surveys the historical development of state higher education governance structures and reviews the limited empirical literature regarding the antecedents and impacts of various state approaches to higher education management. Drawing on this literature, the first empirical chapter, utilizing hazard modeling, seeks to uncover the factors associated with state enactment of legislation decentralizing higher education governance. It finds that state fiscal characteristics emerge as strong predictors of decentralization. Specifically, states with greater tax efforts are much less likely to decentralize, while states experiencing real dollar declines in tax revenues are much more likely to decentralize, all else constant. The second empirical chapter explores the implications of state management of public higher education for institutional degree completion rates. Utilizing a unique, institutional-level dataset comprising 518 public, four-year institutions of higher education in the United States, it finds that, controlling for relevant institutional-level characteristics such as institutional selectivity, mission, and per-FTE student expenditures, inter-institutional competition emerges as a powerful predictor of student degree completion. Institutions operating in more competitive environments—defined as states with less concentrated undergraduate enrollments and states with weaker higher education governance structures—graduate students at higher rates than institutions operating in less competitive environments. The dissertation concludes by discussing the implications for these empirical findings for policy makers seeking to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of public higher education.

<p>  </p> <p>How did the issue of child marriage go from relative obscurity in the United States to occupy a prominent place on the agendas of the majority of state legislatures in the span of a few years? The marriage of minors is internationally recognized as a human rights abuse – yet, until recently, it has remained legal under state law. This issue has just in the last six years ascended to legislative agendas even without public attention or the backing of powerful lobbying groups. I argue that social movements were integral in heightening legislative attention to this low salience issue. The movement to end child marriage engaged in both outsider tactics like theatrical public protests and insider tactics like testifying in committee to engage legislators on this issue. Communications from social movement organizations framed underage marriage around survivor experiences and child protection. I complete two case studies of efforts to ban underage marriage in Pennsylvania and Massachusetts. Pennsylvania became the third state to ban child marriage in 2020 while Massachusetts could not get a vote in both houses on marriage age reform. Evidence in this study includes analysis of traditional and social media campaigns and other archival materials as well as in-depth interviews with social movement actors and legislators. I also conduct a 50-state statistical analysis of those factors relevant to agenda setting and policy adoption on marriage age reforms. In case studies, I find social movement actors caught the interest of legislators even amongst an ambivalent public through their framing of child marriage and the centrality of child marriage survivors to their advocacy. I find a low salience issue like marriage age reform is less likely to reach policy adoption when those frames conflict with more salient issues like abortion. My findings in the longitudinal 50-state study support my hypotheses on the centrality of social movement actors at both the agenda setting and policy adoption phases. The existence of outsider tactics and online campaigns were both positively and statistically significantly related to a higher likelihood of agenda setting on marriage age reforms. In the policy adoption phase, the use of insider tactics is positively and statistically significantly related to a higher likelihood of adoption. This project increases our understanding of how social movements can drive policy change even in the absence of public attention through direct appeals to legislators. </p>

This study focused on a policy that promotes educational stability for foster children in a southern state in the US. At the time of this study, this policy had not been fully adopted across the state which resulted in foster children not routinely receiving the interventions necessary for improving academic outcomes. Using the diffusion of innovation theory as a framework, the purpose of this qualitative case study was to explore how local-level leaders impacted the successful adoption of education policy in one county office of a statewide child welfare agency. Data were collected from a sample of 5 case managers and a review of the literature. The data were coded and analyzed using Colaizzi's 7-step method of data analysis. Results revealed the specific actions that were taken by county-level leaders to impact the successful adoption of the policy. Such actions included the allocation of resources and the intentional inclusion of informal leaders in decision-making around policy implementation. The social change implications stemming from this study include recommendations made to program leadership to consider practical changes to policy implementation that may result in successful adoption of this policy. Such changes may lead to foster children across the state receiving the benefits of the evidence-based supports outlined in the policy and may lead to an improvement in the delivery of services to vulnerable populations served by the child welfare agency.

Why have Eastern European states adopted flat tax policies? That is what this dissertation answers. This is a curious development given that flat tax policies were noticeably absent from the landscape of most of the world, including Eastern Europe. Fives cases of adoption are examined, including Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Slovakia and the Czech Republic. I argue that two simultaneous processes occur in Eastern Europe that makes adoption viable. First, at the domestic level, the idea of the flat tax is held in esteem by a number of actors, specifically: elite carriers, tax and financial ministers, think tanks and right-wing political parties. They champion this idea to its adoption, or at the least, introduce the flat tax into the policy-making apparatus. Second, at the international level, policy diffusion of the flat tax is taking place. In other words, the experience of previous adopters impacts the decisions of future adopters. Examining both cognitive heuristics theory and rational learning I argue that there are "varieties of diffusion" during the diffusion of the flat tax. Additionally, though this dissertation concerns itself primarily with adoption, I also investigate two cases of non-adoption in Poland and Hungary. What is argued is "diffusion without adoption" occurs. The idea of the flat tax diffused, but the adoption was not politically, ideologically, and economically feasible. / Political Science