Balakrishnan, Radhika and Diane Elson 2008. "Auditing economic policy in the light of obligations on economic and social rights"
- Objective: To conduct audit of economic policies from a human rights perspective, focusing on economic and social rights. This does not look at impacts, but is an ex-post analysis of conduct of policy.
- Key characteristics: Focused on ESR; ex-post analysis; all obligations (respect, protect, fulfill); uses all indicators (structure, process, outcome); designed for use by CSO or human rights activist.
- Brief summary: The audit, a study of how policy has been conducted, combines the moral and legal standards of human rights with the instruments of progressive economists to see how economic policies affect economic and social rights. This provides an overview of economic policies, not a study of policy impact. Steps: 1. Select the economic policies to be considered; 2. Identify which of the principles set out in the above section apply most directly to the selected policies; 3. Identify relevant indicators to assess how far obligations of conduct are being met; 4. Identify indicators of results in realizing economic and social rights, and use them to cross check indicators of conduct when appropriate.
- Best used for: To identify which economic policies are consistent with human rights standards and principles and which are not. Tested in pilot projects by same authors in Mexico and USA projects (Rethinking Macro Economic Strategies from a Human Rights Perspective (Why MES with HR II).
- Data required: Policy information on public expenditure, taxation, fiscal and monetary policy (budget deficits/surpluses, interest and exchange rates), international trade agreements, regulation of non-state actors.
- Tested?: Tested in pilot projects by same authors in Mexico and USA projects (Rethinking Macro Economic Strategies from a Human Rights Perspective (Why MES with HR II))
- Possible disadvantages: An audit does not seek to establish all the factors that influence the enjoyment of a right. It does not analyze political will or intent; Due to lack of space, the regulation of non-state actors is not addressed here.
- Going forward: Possibilities to facilitate greater cooperation between human rights activists and progressive economists, both of whose work could benefit from the knowledge and basis of the other's.
- Complementary tools: This tool would be well-matched with others that do seek to establish the factors causing certain outcomes - for example, Anderson or Felner/CESR.