Municipalities expect that outsourcing, autonomization and privatization will reduce costs or even create revenues. Such decisions also have costs. An analysis of 38 reports by local audit offices shows that municipalities are not aware or unable to calculate these costs. Based on thirteen cases of autonomization and privatization in a large Dutch municipality, this article shows for example that personnel costs can be very high. Municipalities should therefore make better informed decisions, based on managerial considerations, rather than political reasons. |
Artikel |
'Schoon door de poort': over de personeelskosten van verzelfstandiging en privatisering bij gemeenten |
Tijdschrift | Beleid en Maatschappij, Aflevering 4 2009 |
Auteurs | Sandra van Thiel en Robin Snijders |
SamenvattingAuteursinformatie |
Artikel |
'We can do better than that!'Over de toekomst van het stelsel van sociale zekerheid in het licht van immigratie en integratie van niet-westerse immigranten |
Tijdschrift | Beleid en Maatschappij, Aflevering 2 2009 |
Auteurs | Erik de Gier |
SamenvattingAuteursinformatie |
This article sketches four more or less excluding future scenarios with regard to immigration and social security. Its objective is to find an answer to the question how the Dutch welfare state and more in particular the system of social security can contribute positively to both labour market participation and social integration of non-western immigrants. The four scenarios, constructed on the basis of two dichotomies open versus closed country borders and privatised versus collective social security, can be perceived as ideal types. Although none of the four scenarios will contribute unequivocally to solving the problem of labour market participation and social integration of immigration, it turns out that two scenarios will be more realistic, given in particular the long-term development of the social security system towards further privatisation. These are the scenarios that combine privatised social security with open or closed borders. The first scenario will be more beneficial from an economic viewpoint. By contrast, the second scenario will be more attractive for those people who primarily want to restrict immigration. |
Artikel |
Beleidsvervreemding van publieke professionalsTheoretisch raamwerk en een casus over verzekeringsartsen en arbeidsdeskundigen |
Tijdschrift | Beleid en Maatschappij, Aflevering 2 2009 |
Auteurs | Lars Tummers, Victor Bekkers en Bram Steijn |
SamenvattingAuteursinformatie |
In this article, we introduce the concept of 'policy alienation'. We define policy alienation as a general cognitive state of psychological disconnection from the policy program being implemented, here by a public professional who regularly interacts directly with clients. By introducing policy alienation, we want to contribute to the contemporary debate on the role of public professionals. According to some authors, professionals are experiencing increasing pressures, as managers have turned their backs to work floors and primarily opt for results, efficiency, and transparency. Conversely, other scholars note that it is questionable whether managers can be blamed for all perceived problems at work floors and in service delivery. We are able to examine these opposing claims using the policy alienation perspective, as this perspective not only takes into account the role of management, but also the influence of policy makers and politicians, as well as the claims of the more emancipated clients. After conceptualizing policy alienation, we use a case of insurance physicians and labor experts to illustrate how the concept can be researched empirically. |
Discussie |
Winnen de dark mobs het van hun bestrijders? |
Tijdschrift | Beleid en Maatschappij, Aflevering 2 2009 |
Auteurs | Bob de Graaff |
Auteursinformatie |
Artikel |
Hoeders van de hygiënische stadBeveiligers, toezichthouders en handhavers in de openbare ruimte |
Tijdschrift | Beleid en Maatschappij, Aflevering 3 2009 |
Auteurs | Ronald van Steden en Maddy Roelofs |
SamenvattingAuteursinformatie |
Over recent years, we have seen a steady increase in the number of security officers and city supervisors in Dutch urban areas. However, despite the mounting presence and visibility of these auxiliary patrols, little is known about how citizens perceive and value them. A questionnaire held among a sample of 761 residents of Amsterdam shows that citizens have mixed opinions. Many people are accepting or neutral about the occurrence of security officers and city supervisors in urban space, but at the same time lack a clear idea of their quality and professionalism. This somewhat ignorant and laconic attitude raises the question whether people underestimate the potential consequences of omnipresent quasi-police. It is argued that more repressive approaches may generate substantial conflicts with the general public. Furthermore, safety and security may become 'consumer goods' in the sense that people are quite happy to leave their responsibilities to paid policing professionals – a position which promotes the rise of a 'culture of control'. |