Comparative Transfer Analysis: Policy Instruments, Space and Time

Abstract With the growth of globalization, comparative policy analysis became increasingly challenging. The contemporary transnational nature of public policymaking processes, which encompasses policies, fundings, individuals, and organizations crossing borders, with its instruments and ideas, extends the logic of territorially circumscribed phenomena. Understanding these movements lies at the core of the fast-growing field of analysis: policy transfer, diffusion, mobilities, and circulation. The purpose of this Special Issue is to broaden and deepen the debate on the transnational circulation of policy models from a comparative perspective. This Special Issue proposes a comparative strategy of analysis for policy transfer that considers three elements: policy instruments, policy transfer spaces, and time. These elements are presented in detail in this introduction, providing an innovative perspective, updating and expanding the classical policy transfer framework posited by Dolowitz and Marsh over two decades ago. This Special Issue brings together original research articles, prepared by diverse group of authors from different regions around the world (from both Global North and South).