MODULE :PUB3703
,PUB3703 Exam Question &
Answer Pack
Contains:
• Exam Questions & Answers
• eBook Public PolicyMaking 7th Ed
• Study Notes
,QUESTION
Explain the connection between public policy and politics. (9)
Study guide, Study unit 1, par 1.6, page 16-18
1.6 The connection between public policy and politics
In the literature various efforts have been made to describe the concept “politics”. For instance it
has been referred to as
• a decision-making process where decisions are taken as to the allocation of resources (Fox &
Meyer 1995:98)
• the authoritative allocation of intellectual and material values or resources in the community by
an authorised person or institution (Hanekom 1991:20)
a process whereby people try to establish and promote their value judgements by way of
institutions (Parsons 1995:339)
Through the ages people have been concerned with questions such as “What does happiness
consist of or what is the so-called ‘good life’ and what goals should be pursued?” In addition
people have had to decide how the “good life” could be achieved. The problem is that there are
more needs than resources in society and because of this the attainment of every objective is
impossible. Choices therefore have to be made as to which objectives will be pursued. It is
precisely such choices that are the crux of politics. Easton (1965:132) summarises this as follows:
The reason why a political system emerges in a society at all — that is why men engage in
political activity — is that demands are being made by persons or groups in the society that cannot
all be fully satisfied ... . The study of politics is concerned with understanding how authoritative
decisions are made and executed by society.
From the preceding it can be deduced that politics is primarily concerned with the authoritative
allocation of values and resources by an authorised person or institution. Secondly, it is clear that
a plan of action has to be decided on to effect an allocation of values. The decisions that are taken
on such a plan of action lead to policy (as reflected in the budget speech) (Hanekom 1991:21).
The connection between policy and politics is therefore bound up in the authoritative way in which
decisions that deal with the allocation of values and resources are taken. Public policy is therefore
referred to as authoritative statements because legally empowered public institutions take political
decisions beforehand and make decisions in this connection that are binding and enforceable.
Just as there is a connection between public policy and politics, so there is a link between public
policy making, management, planning and decision making. In the next section we shall establish
to what extent such a connection contributes to the meaningful visualisation, explanation and
attainment of policy objectives.
, QUESTION
Public policy provides a functional perspective on the governing process. Briefly explain the focus of
three (3) forms of public policy, namely domestic policy, foreign policy and environmental policy.
Study guide, SU 1, par 1.2, page 6 (10)
Various forms of policy can be distinguished depending on the topic on which the focus falls for
example:
• domestic policy: all government decisions, programmes and actions relating to internal matters
such as income tax, welfare, the environment and the operation of businesses
• foreign policy: provides guidelines on how a specific state acts in its relations with other states;
foreign policy is aimed at protecting and promoting a state’s national interests, national security,
ideological objectives and economic welfare education policy: refers to the collection of laws and
regulations that govern the education system; it deals with the personal and government
objectives to be achieved through education, the methods that should be followed to realise the
objectives and the way in which success or failure should be measured
• environmental policy: refers to legislation and regulations regarding environmental matters;
environmental matters that are commonly regulated by policy include air and water pollution,
waste management and the protection of biodiversity; policy regarding energy or the regulation of
toxic substances such as pesticides and industrial waste also form part of environmental policy
(Public Policy [Sa])
,PUB3703 Exam Question &
Answer Pack
Contains:
• Exam Questions & Answers
• eBook Public PolicyMaking 7th Ed
• Study Notes
,QUESTION
Explain the connection between public policy and politics. (9)
Study guide, Study unit 1, par 1.6, page 16-18
1.6 The connection between public policy and politics
In the literature various efforts have been made to describe the concept “politics”. For instance it
has been referred to as
• a decision-making process where decisions are taken as to the allocation of resources (Fox &
Meyer 1995:98)
• the authoritative allocation of intellectual and material values or resources in the community by
an authorised person or institution (Hanekom 1991:20)
a process whereby people try to establish and promote their value judgements by way of
institutions (Parsons 1995:339)
Through the ages people have been concerned with questions such as “What does happiness
consist of or what is the so-called ‘good life’ and what goals should be pursued?” In addition
people have had to decide how the “good life” could be achieved. The problem is that there are
more needs than resources in society and because of this the attainment of every objective is
impossible. Choices therefore have to be made as to which objectives will be pursued. It is
precisely such choices that are the crux of politics. Easton (1965:132) summarises this as follows:
The reason why a political system emerges in a society at all — that is why men engage in
political activity — is that demands are being made by persons or groups in the society that cannot
all be fully satisfied ... . The study of politics is concerned with understanding how authoritative
decisions are made and executed by society.
From the preceding it can be deduced that politics is primarily concerned with the authoritative
allocation of values and resources by an authorised person or institution. Secondly, it is clear that
a plan of action has to be decided on to effect an allocation of values. The decisions that are taken
on such a plan of action lead to policy (as reflected in the budget speech) (Hanekom 1991:21).
The connection between policy and politics is therefore bound up in the authoritative way in which
decisions that deal with the allocation of values and resources are taken. Public policy is therefore
referred to as authoritative statements because legally empowered public institutions take political
decisions beforehand and make decisions in this connection that are binding and enforceable.
Just as there is a connection between public policy and politics, so there is a link between public
policy making, management, planning and decision making. In the next section we shall establish
to what extent such a connection contributes to the meaningful visualisation, explanation and
attainment of policy objectives.
, QUESTION
Public policy provides a functional perspective on the governing process. Briefly explain the focus of
three (3) forms of public policy, namely domestic policy, foreign policy and environmental policy.
Study guide, SU 1, par 1.2, page 6 (10)
Various forms of policy can be distinguished depending on the topic on which the focus falls for
example:
• domestic policy: all government decisions, programmes and actions relating to internal matters
such as income tax, welfare, the environment and the operation of businesses
• foreign policy: provides guidelines on how a specific state acts in its relations with other states;
foreign policy is aimed at protecting and promoting a state’s national interests, national security,
ideological objectives and economic welfare education policy: refers to the collection of laws and
regulations that govern the education system; it deals with the personal and government
objectives to be achieved through education, the methods that should be followed to realise the
objectives and the way in which success or failure should be measured
• environmental policy: refers to legislation and regulations regarding environmental matters;
environmental matters that are commonly regulated by policy include air and water pollution,
waste management and the protection of biodiversity; policy regarding energy or the regulation of
toxic substances such as pesticides and industrial waste also form part of environmental policy
(Public Policy [Sa])
