en
Scientific article
English

Institutional Vulnerability to Social Constructions: Federalism, Target Populations, and Policy Designs for Assisted Reproductive Technology in Six Democracies

Published inComparative political studies, vol. 38, no. 2, p. 119-142
Publication date2005
Abstract

This article contributes to efforts to integrate power-based, institutionalist, and constructivist perspectives on policy making. Using an analysis of policy designs for assisted reproductive technology, the authors argue that jurisdictional federations are more vulnerable to social con- structions based on widely held perceptions of social groups than functional federations and, to a lesser extent, unitary states. In fact, policy makers in jurisdictional federations tend to rely on communicative discourses aimed at convincing a wide public, whereas those in functional feder- ations need coordinative discourses to obtain the support of actors who play key roles in decision making. Where coordinative discourses prevail over communicative discourses, policy makers will more likely target advantaged groups with restrictive policies.

Keywords
  • Social constructions
  • Target populations
  • Assisted reproductive technology
Citation (ISO format)
MONTPETIT, Eric, ROTHMAYR ALLISON, Christine, VARONE, Frédéric. Institutional Vulnerability to Social Constructions: Federalism, Target Populations, and Policy Designs for Assisted Reproductive Technology in Six Democracies. In: Comparative political studies, 2005, vol. 38, n° 2, p. 119–142. doi: 10.1177/0010414004271080
Main files (1)
Article (Accepted version)
accessLevelRestricted
Identifiers
ISSN of the journal0010-4140
495views
0downloads

Technical informations

Creation2014/09/08 12:12:00
First validation2014/09/08 12:12:00
Update time2023/03/14 21:45:08
Status update2023/03/14 21:45:08
Last indexation2024/01/16 11:48:59
All rights reserved by Archive ouverte UNIGE and the University of GenevaunigeBlack