Welcome to IN2PB, a research project on “Measuring institutional independence: A comparative framework for the study of public bodies” (09/2025 - 08/2028).
This research project addresses the growing prominence of institutional independence in public governance, focusing on public bodies delegated decision-making authority while safeguarded from political interference. The study identifies a significant gap in cross-sectoral approaches to measuring institutional independence, emphasizing the need for comprehensive metrics that account for both de jure (legal) and de facto (practical) dimensions.
Drawing on diverse examplescentral banks, regulatory agencies, judicial councils, and quality assurance bodiesthe research proposes a multidimensional framework for evaluating independence. Key dimensions include institutional tenure, personnel appointment, decision constraints, effective stability, appointee profiles, and external interference.
By integrating legal provisions, informal norms, and operational behaviors, the study aims to construct a robust index of institutional independence, and to discuss under which circumstances it is applicable across countries and sectors. A three-layered research strategy is outlined: (1) a broad exploratory analysis across +50 countries and 10 different types of institutions, (2) experimental surveys and focus groups to examine perceptions and preference formation on the different independence dimensions, and finally (3) an in-depth examination of selected institutions in 8-10 countries.
The project highlights methodological challenges in developing metrics that maintain comparability across institutions, time, and political contexts. The findings aim to enhance comparative public policy understanding, offering more robust tools for analyzing the mechanisms and impacts of institutional independence on governance and accountability.