“Measuring the Mix” of Policy Responses to COVID-19

Comparative Policy Analysis Using Topic Modelling

Journal Article (2021)
Author(s)

N. Goyal (TU Delft - Organisation & Governance)

Michael Howlett (Simon Fraser University)

Research Group
Organisation & Governance
Copyright
© 2021 N. Goyal, Michael Howlett
DOI related publication
https://doi.org/10.1080/13876988.2021.1880872
More Info
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Publication Year
2021
Language
English
Copyright
© 2021 N. Goyal, Michael Howlett
Research Group
Organisation & Governance
Issue number
2
Volume number
23
Pages (from-to)
250-261
Reuse Rights

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Abstract

Although understanding initial responses to a crisis such as COVID-19 is important, existing research on the topic has not been systematically comparative. This study uses topic modeling to inductively analyze over 13,000 COVID-19 policies worldwide. This technique enables the COVID-19 policy mixes to be characterized and their cross-country variation to be compared. Significant variation was found in the intensity, density, and balance of policy mixes adopted across countries, over time, and by level of government. This study advances research on policy responses to the pandemic, specifically, and the operationalization of policy mixes, more generally.