PLC2602
POLITICS AND PUBLIC POLICY
NOTES, QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
FOR FURTHER CLARIFICATION PLEASE EMAIL
, lOMoARcPSD|48928813
1. Name the six stages of the public policy-making process discussed in your
Study Guide. Then discuss why we refer to policy-making as a “process”.
The public policy-making process is made up of six stages. The first stage is the
identification of policy-relevant problems and this stage deals with the investigation of issues
that can be considered as public policy problems.
The second stage is agenda-setting. This stage deals with the fine-tuning or selection of the
issues which are considered as public policy concerns and can be implemented through
three different approaches (Botha and Kotzé 2014).
The third stage is policy formulation and decision making. This is a two bodied stage where
those involved conjure up solutions to policy issues and approve, modify or reject a preferred
policy alternative (Anderson 1984:60).
The fourth stage is policy legitimation and formalization. This involves the transition of public
policy proposals to a publicly sanctioned government program and is characterized by final
considerations and adjustments from the policymakers (Botha and Kotzé 2014).
The fifth stage is policy implementation. This stage deals with the directive set by the political
executive to make sure that the relevant departments, agencies and commissions of which
are affected by the policy changes understand what needs to be done administratively to
achieve the policy goals (Botha and Kotzé 2014).
The sixth stage of the policymaking process is the evaluation of policy impact. This stage
sheds light on the potential effects that the implementation of certain policy objectives may
have on the public (Botha and Kotzé 2014).
Policymaking is considered a process because it involves a dynamic series of events with
the notion to achieve a particular goal or in this case, a thoroughly worked solution to an
identified policy issue (Academic Educational Materials 2016).
2. Identify and discuss the three main approaches to agenda-setting.
Agenda setting falls as a part of the process to consolidate public policy issues that the
government or state will take into consideration. Determining what may be on the policy
agenda requires specific input from particular groups to distinguish what is considered an
issue, what solutions are available to solve this issue, and the political desire for the issues
, lOMoARcPSD|48928813
to be addressed. Three main approaches are identified as a method to aid in this process:
the pluralist approach, the role of elites approach and the corporatist approach (Botha and
Kotzé 2014).
The pluralist approach, as per the definition of pluralism, involves the commitment to
diversity or multiplicity. According to Kotzé, D. and Botha S. (2014), the approach argues
that all necessary individuals and groups should have access to be in a position that allows
them to influence policymakers. This approach does not seek to favour a particular group but
allows the focus to be distributed and shared amongst many parties (Sardo M.S. 2021). This
serves to create a platform where people who have interests per policy may amass or
engage in dialogue with other groups to seek or influence the policy agenda as per public
opinion (POLITICAL SCIENCE TUTORIALS 2020).
The role of the elites approach deals with the influence that the wealthy and powerful
members of a society have on politics. This includes individuals that have control over
political institutions or institutions that may be of critical concern to the government such as
parastatals, financial-economic corporations, military, media, etc. This approach looks at the
role that the elites play in influencing what is on the policy agenda. Since elites operate in
the function of important sectors and aspects of government, this approach can be used to
identify how powerful individuals may influence the policy agenda to aid their particular
incentives.
The corporatist approach, as per the definition of corporatism according to the
Merriam-Webster dictionary (2021), is “the organization of a society into industrial and
professional corporations serving as organs of political representation and exercising control
over persons and activities within their jurisdiction”. In a political context, this is the
collaboration of government and organized interest groups. This approach serves to give
particular groups of interest the focus as they are regarded as instrumental in the
distinguishing of a policy problem that has piqued the interest of the government. In turn,
they operate under the lens of the government and according to Kotzé, D. and Botha S.
(2014), they act on behalf of the government to perform certain tasks in the name of public
service. Since certain groups are given the spotlight to achieve or consider particular policy
objectives, this approach limits intervention from other groups in the decision-making
process.
, lOMoARcPSD|48928813
3. Briefly describe what policy implementation means. Then identify the four
most important role-players responsible for policy implementation and
discuss their different roles.
Policy implementation is the process that occurs after policy formulation and the policy has
been signed into law and works to turn law into rules and regulations that can be understood
by the public. The executive gives instruction and regulates the relevant structures of
government (i.e departments, commissions, agencies) for a policy to be set and objectives to
be reached (Botha and Kotzé 2014).
There are important role-players that oversee the process of policy implementation, namely
the bureaucracy, legislature, the judiciary and pressure groups and community
organizations.
The bureaucracy is an executive policy-making group that oversees the administrative tasks
relating to policy implementation.
According to Kotzé, D. and Botha S. (2014), the legislature is responsible for deciding on a
policy solution in the form of a legislature. It can also differ with regards to the details it
provides for legislation and may include an explanatory section that outlines its direction and
ideology (Botha and Kotzé 2014). Although their main function is to pass laws, they are also
responsible for overseeing the bureaucracy and making sure all processes are conducted
responsibly.
The judiciary is an independent body that consists of judges and magistrates whose role is
to interpret legislative and executive rules and regulations and apply them (Botha and Kotzé
2014). Judiciaries also have the power to adjudicate laws. This means that the decisions that
they make following a particular policy can promote or hinder the implementation of policy
(Botha and Kotzé 2014). The judiciary also works with the bureaucracy and legislation to
make sure that all processes are conducted legally.
Pressure groups and community organizations are groups who through wide support gain
the capability to raise awareness of their interests and seek to influence the government
during the implementation process (Digestible Pol 2014). Due to the discretionary
decision-making associated with officials, opportunities exist for these organizations to
promote their various interests and in turn influence the implementation process (Botha and
Kotzé 2014). The influence of these groups can be seen through a corporatist relationship
with the government (Botha and Kotzé 2014).
POLITICS AND PUBLIC POLICY
NOTES, QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
FOR FURTHER CLARIFICATION PLEASE EMAIL
, lOMoARcPSD|48928813
1. Name the six stages of the public policy-making process discussed in your
Study Guide. Then discuss why we refer to policy-making as a “process”.
The public policy-making process is made up of six stages. The first stage is the
identification of policy-relevant problems and this stage deals with the investigation of issues
that can be considered as public policy problems.
The second stage is agenda-setting. This stage deals with the fine-tuning or selection of the
issues which are considered as public policy concerns and can be implemented through
three different approaches (Botha and Kotzé 2014).
The third stage is policy formulation and decision making. This is a two bodied stage where
those involved conjure up solutions to policy issues and approve, modify or reject a preferred
policy alternative (Anderson 1984:60).
The fourth stage is policy legitimation and formalization. This involves the transition of public
policy proposals to a publicly sanctioned government program and is characterized by final
considerations and adjustments from the policymakers (Botha and Kotzé 2014).
The fifth stage is policy implementation. This stage deals with the directive set by the political
executive to make sure that the relevant departments, agencies and commissions of which
are affected by the policy changes understand what needs to be done administratively to
achieve the policy goals (Botha and Kotzé 2014).
The sixth stage of the policymaking process is the evaluation of policy impact. This stage
sheds light on the potential effects that the implementation of certain policy objectives may
have on the public (Botha and Kotzé 2014).
Policymaking is considered a process because it involves a dynamic series of events with
the notion to achieve a particular goal or in this case, a thoroughly worked solution to an
identified policy issue (Academic Educational Materials 2016).
2. Identify and discuss the three main approaches to agenda-setting.
Agenda setting falls as a part of the process to consolidate public policy issues that the
government or state will take into consideration. Determining what may be on the policy
agenda requires specific input from particular groups to distinguish what is considered an
issue, what solutions are available to solve this issue, and the political desire for the issues
, lOMoARcPSD|48928813
to be addressed. Three main approaches are identified as a method to aid in this process:
the pluralist approach, the role of elites approach and the corporatist approach (Botha and
Kotzé 2014).
The pluralist approach, as per the definition of pluralism, involves the commitment to
diversity or multiplicity. According to Kotzé, D. and Botha S. (2014), the approach argues
that all necessary individuals and groups should have access to be in a position that allows
them to influence policymakers. This approach does not seek to favour a particular group but
allows the focus to be distributed and shared amongst many parties (Sardo M.S. 2021). This
serves to create a platform where people who have interests per policy may amass or
engage in dialogue with other groups to seek or influence the policy agenda as per public
opinion (POLITICAL SCIENCE TUTORIALS 2020).
The role of the elites approach deals with the influence that the wealthy and powerful
members of a society have on politics. This includes individuals that have control over
political institutions or institutions that may be of critical concern to the government such as
parastatals, financial-economic corporations, military, media, etc. This approach looks at the
role that the elites play in influencing what is on the policy agenda. Since elites operate in
the function of important sectors and aspects of government, this approach can be used to
identify how powerful individuals may influence the policy agenda to aid their particular
incentives.
The corporatist approach, as per the definition of corporatism according to the
Merriam-Webster dictionary (2021), is “the organization of a society into industrial and
professional corporations serving as organs of political representation and exercising control
over persons and activities within their jurisdiction”. In a political context, this is the
collaboration of government and organized interest groups. This approach serves to give
particular groups of interest the focus as they are regarded as instrumental in the
distinguishing of a policy problem that has piqued the interest of the government. In turn,
they operate under the lens of the government and according to Kotzé, D. and Botha S.
(2014), they act on behalf of the government to perform certain tasks in the name of public
service. Since certain groups are given the spotlight to achieve or consider particular policy
objectives, this approach limits intervention from other groups in the decision-making
process.
, lOMoARcPSD|48928813
3. Briefly describe what policy implementation means. Then identify the four
most important role-players responsible for policy implementation and
discuss their different roles.
Policy implementation is the process that occurs after policy formulation and the policy has
been signed into law and works to turn law into rules and regulations that can be understood
by the public. The executive gives instruction and regulates the relevant structures of
government (i.e departments, commissions, agencies) for a policy to be set and objectives to
be reached (Botha and Kotzé 2014).
There are important role-players that oversee the process of policy implementation, namely
the bureaucracy, legislature, the judiciary and pressure groups and community
organizations.
The bureaucracy is an executive policy-making group that oversees the administrative tasks
relating to policy implementation.
According to Kotzé, D. and Botha S. (2014), the legislature is responsible for deciding on a
policy solution in the form of a legislature. It can also differ with regards to the details it
provides for legislation and may include an explanatory section that outlines its direction and
ideology (Botha and Kotzé 2014). Although their main function is to pass laws, they are also
responsible for overseeing the bureaucracy and making sure all processes are conducted
responsibly.
The judiciary is an independent body that consists of judges and magistrates whose role is
to interpret legislative and executive rules and regulations and apply them (Botha and Kotzé
2014). Judiciaries also have the power to adjudicate laws. This means that the decisions that
they make following a particular policy can promote or hinder the implementation of policy
(Botha and Kotzé 2014). The judiciary also works with the bureaucracy and legislation to
make sure that all processes are conducted legally.
Pressure groups and community organizations are groups who through wide support gain
the capability to raise awareness of their interests and seek to influence the government
during the implementation process (Digestible Pol 2014). Due to the discretionary
decision-making associated with officials, opportunities exist for these organizations to
promote their various interests and in turn influence the implementation process (Botha and
Kotzé 2014). The influence of these groups can be seen through a corporatist relationship
with the government (Botha and Kotzé 2014).
