Research Articles (Public Administration)

Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://hdl.handle.net/10566/19649

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    A Theoretical debate on sustainability and socio-ecological change
    (Adonis and Abbey Publishers Ltd, 2026) Maphumulo, Lindani Sthembele; Mkhize, Nontokozo
    The intensification of the climate crisis and pervasive environmental degradation have catalysed a global imperative to identify sustainable solutions that are both socially just and ecologically viable. The global quest for sustainability is characterised by a profound theoretical divide amid growing climate emergencies and environmental collapse. While one paradigm calls for a radical rethinking of the political and economic structures that fuel ecological destruction, the other envisions ecological salvation through market-based mechanisms, policy reform, technological innovation, and science. This conceptual analysis critically looks at four main points of contention: market versus structural change, state-led regulation versus class struggle, technological optimism versus social revolution, and reformist strategies versus global justice. The analysis highlights the benefits and drawbacks of each strategy by using real-world examples, such as grassroots opposition to extractivism and carbon trading. The argument presents an integrative viewpoint, treating these frameworks as complementary rather than antagonistic. The paper argues that the immediate reforms must be used as stepping stones to more profound structural change. This paper concludes by positioning sustainability as an initiative grounded in ecological health and social equity. This redefined framework serves as a necessary intervention to address the structural roots of systemic inequality, paving the way for the creation of more resilient and inclusive futures.
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    An Integrative Propositional Analysis of Finland's Successful Homelessness Policy: A New Policy Design Insight
    (Wiley, 2025) de Wee Guswin
    Finland can be seen as having some of the best success in terms of dealing with the complex issue of homelessness and was confirmed in a recent case study by de la Porte et al. in 2022, ‘Successful Public Policy in the Nordic Countries: Cases, Lessons and Challenges’. Focusing specifically on the policy content and its potential insights, this paper utilises the systems‐based integrative propositional analysis method to analyse the policy text of the AUNE Homelessness policy of Finland, 2016–2019. Drawing on policy design‐as‐content literature, this article uses the analytical concept of ‘structural logic’ as the abstractable unit of analysis, which enables policy mapping and interaction assessment with insights for policy effectiveness. Findings suggest that the relatively higher level of structural logic of the Finnish homelessness policy correlates with the policy's effectiveness in application. Because of the granularity of the type of analysis, the IPA not only provides descriptive and diagnostic data, which is important for decision‐making, policy coordination and insights into policy evaluation. The paper also discusses important insights for policy design, policy process and implications for governance, scholars and policy practitioners.