Policy Learning: Equality and Human Rights in Northern Ireland, Ireland and Great Britain

ISSN： 1359-7566

Source： Regional and Federal Studies, Vol.22, Iss.3, 2012-07, pp. : 323-340

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Abstract

This article is about policy learning or diffusion in the field of equality and human rights across Ireland and the United Kingdom (UK). It first outlines the axes along which policy learning has taken place, or could do so, and the policies that are the subject of learning. It then discusses internal policy learning in Northern Ireland (NI) on the key issue of public sector duties. Learning is then examined between NI and Ireland; between NI and Great Britain (GB); and between Ireland and GB. These sections involve private and public employers, as well as the public sector duties, and touch on institutional design. In conclusion, it is suggested that it is not only because of the banking, fiscal and economic crises in Ireland and the UK that learning opportunities have been undermined. This case study demonstrates the importance of the contrast between politicians with their “limited attention spans” and the more analytical wider policy community of professionals and interest groups. Power relations between them are a significant factor in degrees of superficiality or profundity.