Odborníci versus politici: jak se připravovala česká důchodová reforma
Experts versus politicians: how the Czech pension reform was prepared

Summary/Abstract: Although pension systems are among the most stable elements of social systems, even they evolve. In recent decades, dozens of countries have joined in by enacting minor adjustments or significant reforms. Due to the complexity of the task, experts are invited to participate in the preparation of such changes; due to their social sensitivity vis-a-vis the broad electorate, politicians pay a close attention to it as well. We apply the theory of discursive institutionalism along with the method of frame analysis to study the nature and content of the discourse on Czech pension reform between 2004 and 2014. The center of our focus is on the institutional framework and the content of the communication of its key actors - politicians and experts. It turns out that even though the politicians cannot make do without the experts while providing them the opportunity to exercise their professional duties and knowledge in the decisionmaking process, the politicians, themselves, ultimately have the final word.

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