No. 3 / 2026 — Autumn

Abstract. This paper shows the usefulness of political economy mapping for public policies decision makers and for those designing public policies. A political economy map is not a perfect instrument, but easy to use and not expensive. It could be considered a major ingredient in designing and implementing any public policy. Its power comes from the knowledge provided. Its usefulness can be increased when more resources (time and money) are devoted to realize it. In the same time, ignoring it could lead to failure or unintended and undesired reactions of those affected, even if decision makers would have been well intended and some changes would have been necessary to implement.

Public policy makers would always welcome more information on the potential effects of their decisions. Public policy decisions alter costs and benefits for individuals, households, companies, various institutions and structures of the administration or other organized groups - trade unions, consumer or business associations, etc. (Croitoru et al., 2000).

The experience of the last 30 years provides many examples of success and failure in public policies. In many cases, what made the difference between success and failure were the support or opposition societies where various public policies decisions were implemented provided (Ruehl and Daianu, 1999; Doltu and Duhaneanu, 2010).

This paper is based on a previous study on the position and role of different stakeholders, who would win and who would lose from reforming the public administration in Romania.