Summary App 307: Public Policy Analysis Class Notes

APP 307: PUBLIC POLICY ANALYSIS CLASS NOTES Compiled by Boaz Were: What is Public Policy? Public policy is a purposive course of action followed by government in dealing with some topic or matter of public concern- J.E. Anderson, 1975. Public policy is the authoritative allocation of values for the whole society- D.Easton, 1953. Public policy is whatever government choose to do or not to do- T.R.Dye, 1978. Public policy consists of political decisions for implementing programs to achieve societal goalsC.L.Chochran & E.F. Malone, 1995. Public policy entails a set of interrelated decisions taken by a political actor or group of actors concerning the selection of goals and the means of achieving them within a specified situation where those decisions should, in principle, be within the power of those actors to achieve- William Jenkins, 1978. WHAT IS PUBLIC POLICY ANALYSIS? What then is Public Policy Analysis? How do things really work? Are decisions made based on statistical analysis or political situations? The basis of public policy analysis is to present all aspects of an issue, so that politicians, or the public, or the press, can draw their own conclusions. Policy analysis describes investigations that produce accurate and useful information for decision makers- Chochran & Malone, 1995. Policy analysis is an applied social science discipline which uses multiple methods of inquiry and argument to produce and transform policy-relevant information that may be utilized in political setting to resolve policy problems- Dunn, 1981. Policy analysis is a set of techniques and criteria with which to evaluate public policy options and select among them…to rationalize the development and implementation of public policy…and as the means to greater efficiency and equity in allocation of public resources- Jenkins-Smith, 1990. Policy analysis is a systematic evaluation of the technical and political implications of alternatives proposed to solve public problems. Policy analysis refers to both the process of assessing policies or programs, and the product of that analysis. 2 THE PROCESS OF POLICY ANALYSIS The following are the processes involved in policy analysis: Initiation Initiation is the first stage in the process of policy analysis. It involves the conception of creative thoughts about a problem. This is further followed by the definition of objectives, designing of several innovative options, and then a tentative preliminary exploration of concepts, claims and possibilities. 2. Estimation This second stage involves a thorough investigation of concepts and claims, a scientific examination of impacts of continuing to do nothing as well as of each considered intervention option. Other issues involved under this stage include normative examination of likely consequences; development of program outlines; and establishment of expected performance criteria and indications. 3. Selection The selection stage involves debating on possible options to be chosen; compromises, bargains, and accommodations; reduction of uncertainty about options; integration of ideological and other non-rational elements of decision; decisions among options; and assignment of executive responsibility. 4. Implementation The fourth stage is the implementation stage. This is a crucial stage in the process, and involves development of rules, regulations, and guidelines to carry out decision. Another important aspect of this stage is the modification of decision to reflect operational constraints, including incentive and resources. This leads to the translation of decisions into operational terms, and finally the setting of program goals and standards, including schedule of operation. 5. Evaluation This stage in the process is concerned with the comparison of expected and actual performance levels according to established criteria, as well as the assignment of responsibility for discovered discrepancies in performance. 6. Termination Six Step Policy Analysis 1) Verify, define and detail the problem 2) Establish evaluation criteria 3) Identify alternative policies 4) Assess alternative policies 5) Display and distinguish among alternatives 6) Implement, monitor, and evaluate the policy Policy is central to what government does and how it does it. In our political system of government, the public service provides advice and guidance to the government ministers who are collectively responsible for government policy. A key tenant of this model is the existence of an autonomous, nonpartisan and professional public service. The governments in power trust public servants to carry out its policies as well as to support their development. Through central agencies,