politikanalyse

Politikanalyse is the systematic study of political processes, actors, institutions, and policies with the aim of understanding how political decisions are made and what their effects are. It encompasses analysis of power relations, agenda setting, institutional structures, and policy outcomes, and can be descriptive, explanatory, or prescriptive. The term is commonly used in German-speaking and some European scholarly contexts, but its scope mirrors broader political science and public policy traditions.

The field uses a range of approaches and methods. Qualitative methods include case studies, process tracing, interviews, and discourse analysis to uncover reasoning, interests, and framing behind political choices. Quantitative methods involve statistical analysis, surveys, experimental designs, and modeling to identify patterns, causal relationships, and potential impacts. Mixed-methods research combines these strands. Data sources consist of official documents, legislative records, media content, expert evaluations, and survey data.

Subfields of politikanalyse cover policy analysis, governance and public administration, comparative politics, international relations, and political risk assessment. Practically, analyses may aim to explain why a policy was adopted, evaluate its effectiveness, compare alternatives, forecast consequences, or inform decision-makers and the public. In applied settings, think tanks, government agencies, and consulting firms frequently produce politikanalyses to support planning, reform, or accountability efforts.

Ethical and quality considerations are central to the field, including transparency about methods, limitations, potential biases, and the replicability of findings. While methods differ across contexts, the goal is to provide evidence-based insights that contribute to informed, legitimate policymaking.