POLICY MAKING PROCESS Public Policy a government plan

POLICY MAKING PROCESS

Public Policy – a government plan of action to solve a problem that people share collectively, that they cannot solve on their own, and that makes up the political agenda (issues that people believe require governmental action) Private policy - Nongovernmental policies, adopted by individuals, businesses, or organizations to solve problems and to advance individual or group interests

Making public policy Working with your partner, discuss the following question: What are some difficulties in solving public problems?

Difficulties in solving public problems Competing ideas about what constitutes a problem Solutions are expensive Cost – a burden that people believe they must bear if a policy is enacted Benefit – a satisfaction that people believe they will enjoy if a policy is adopted. Solutions generate new problems Solutions are complex

Types of Policy

Redistributive Policy Redistributive policy: public policies that transfer resources from one group to assist another group; shifts resources from the “haves” to the “have-nots” E. g. , Medicaid Usually controversial Highlights differences between how Democrats and Republicans view the role of government

Redistributive Policies Redistributive policies – policies that shift resources from the “haves” to the “have-nots” Goal – To help the “have-nots” in society Who promotes – Public interest groups Who benefits – Disadvantaged citizens Who pays – Middle and upper class taxpayers

Distributive Policy Distributive policy: public policies that provides benefits to individuals, groups, communities or corporations; funded by the whole taxpayer base to address the needs of a particular group E. g. , homeowner’s tax deductions Popular because benefits go to specific group while costs are spread so widely that no one notices them Pork barrel projects—in which legislators try to secure federal dollars to support programs in their home districts—are often associated with distributive policies

Distributive Policies Distributive policies – policies funded by the whole taxpayer base that address the needs of particular group Goal – To meet the needs of various groups Who promotes – legislators and interest groups Who benefits – members of interest groups and legislators Who pays – all taxpayers

Regulatory Policy Regulatory policy: public policies that limit the activities of individuals and corporations or prohibit certain types of unacceptable behavior; designed to change or restrict the behavior of certain groups or individuals E. g. , environmental policy Goal is to protect citizens Politics surrounding the creation of regulatory policy is highly confrontational

Regulatory Policies Regulatory policies – policies designed to restrict or change the behavior of certain groups or individuals Goal – To limit or control actions of individuals or groups Who promotes – Public interest groups Who benefits – public Who pays – targeted groups

Who makes public policy? Inside the system Outside the system Congress Interest President Media Courts Public Bureaucracy Other? groups Discussion: How do each of the above institutions “make” public policy?

Steps of the policymaking process 1. Agenda setting: public attention focuses on a public problem or issue 2. Policy formulation: policymakers take up the issue 3. Policy adoption: policymakers formally adopt a policy solution, usually in the form of law(s) 4. Policy implementation: staffs in government agencies are given responsibility for making the policy work 5. Policy evaluation: policy analysts determine whether the policy is addressing the problem and recommend changes

1. Agenda Setting Public attention focuses on a public problem or issue Issues can be brought to Congress’ attention by: Individual members The president Interest groups Media Opinion polls Triggering event – an external event that puts an issue onto the policy agenda

2. Policy Formulation Policymakers take up the issues. They devise strategies to address the problem, usually in the form of a bill. Can be proposed by the president or an administrative agency Congressional committees determine which strategies will be brought to the floor

3. Policy Adoption Policymakers formally adopt a policy solution, usually in the form of a law or laws. Government has solidified their approach for fixing a certain issue

4. Policy Implementation Staffs in government agencies are given the responsibility to make the policy work. What would make implementation easier? clear, unambiguous goals sufficient funding and staffing has the support of policymakers, officials, and citizens What makes implementation difficult? When those implementing the policy don’t agree when it involves federal, state, and local governments

5. Policy Evaluation Policy analysts inside and outside the government determine whether the policy is addressing the problem and implementation is going well. o o Does the policy address the problem? Does it use public resources reasonably? What could be done more effectively? Are there any undesirable effects?

5. Policy Evaluation: Costs. Benefits Costs: Any result of a policy that puts a burden on someone or many people. Benefits: Any result of a policy that benefits someone or a group. Why doesn’t this always lead to the same decisions? : Perception Legitimacy

5. Policy Evaluation Cost-benefit analysis – an evaluation method in which the costs of the program are compared to the benefits of the policy. Must be able to quantify all benefits and costs Don’t have the information to predict all possible results of a policy Takes time to know the effects of a program Only sees if a policy is efficient

5. Policy Evaluation: Costs. Benefits Example: Increasing Speed Limit on NC-147 10, 000 People Drive on NC-147 Each Day Benefits: Getting to Destination Faster: $500, 000/week Fewer Speeding Tickets: $4, 000/week Costs: Decreased Gas Mileage: - $1, 000/week Increased Accidents: Physical Damage: - $10, 000/week Medical Expenses: - $1, 000/week Deaths? ? ?