Public Policy Analysis MPA 404 Lecture 3 A
Public Policy Analysis MPA 404 Lecture 3
A brief Summary of what we learned in the previous class ü Modern Theory of Public Policy and Laswell’s contribution to it. ü We learned about the difference between policy Analysis, policy process and policy evaluation. ü We went through a wonderful presentation, a podcast about a bad government policy in the US. ü We studied the very basic’s of a model, and then why we need a model for studying a particular area of expertise like public policy.
Read Dr. Farrukh Saleem’s article ‘Pipe Dream’. Take 10 minutes to read it carefully. It can be easily googled by typing in the heading and the name of the author.
Models of Public Policy Ø Public Policy models do not give us a complete picture or a final, precise tool for the success or failure of a policy. Rather, what these models give us is a choice for best fit. The analyzer of a public policy, confronted with these models, has to pick the best out of the lot in order to analyze a particular policy. Ø The general categorization of public policy models is not easy since, as we discovered in the first lecture, policy possibilities are unlimited because of the scope of the subject. However, for the convenience of a policy analyst, these models can be divided into eight general categories. They are as follows: a) Institutionalism: Policy is designed and implemented from an institutional perspective. Remember here that institutions have a very abroad definition. But here we are to concern ourselves with a government or private institution like a government department or an NGO/Think tank.
b) Process: This argument or facet of public policy mainly looks at policy from a political perspective. c) Rationalism: This perspective looks at policy making from a social or welfare gain. Remember, welfare means many things to various people. That is why we see so much disagreement on a policy in the first place. d) Incrementalism: Add something to an already existing policy instead of changing it altogether. e) Group Theory: Policy from the point of view of a particular group with the intention of a favorable outcome. f) Elite Theory: From the power and gain perspective of the elite of a nation. Notice that the word elite does not necessarily imply wealthy people of a country. In general, it can be categorized as a group of people who have the power to get things done for their own good. g) Public Choice Theory: This one belongs mainly to economics. It’s about individuals or groups who make decisions and act on the basis of self interest. h) Game Theory: More about strategies in anticipation of what competitors do or come up with.
Explanation of models Institutionalism Think about the government. Where does it derive its authority from, how does it run its affairs and how does it implement it? Think about the constitution, the courts or any other laws that authorities use in exercising their powers. These all give legitimacy to the government to design and implement a policy. In other words, any government policy normally has a legal backing. A government policy is a government policy whether anybody likes it or not. If it is in power (does not matter how it gets it), it has the right to do it. And how does government implement its policy? Through various institutions that run under its ambit. In Pakistan, there are two major tiers of institutions that run under the governments: federal and provincial. Normally the federal government and its institutions have been the dominant ones in making and implementing policies. But with the passage of the 18 th Amendment, the provinces and their institutions have gained a more stronger footing.
Process Policy making is a political process. By the word ‘political’, the exclusivity of policy to politicians is not implied. Rather, by a political process we mean a kind of a consultative process that involves decision makers/government and the participants of the rest of the society (organizations, NGO’s, Think tanks, etc), in lieu of designing, implementing and carrying out a policy. The government’s role in this kind of model largely owes to the fact that the government’s resources are unlimited as compared to the private sector or the non-government sector. For example, the government has the power to tax which the non-government sector lacks. So therefore, the government becomes a part of the process. And since government’s actions are mainly political in nature, therefore the political aspect of decision making comes in. At the conceptual level, all the actors mentioned above are involved. But when it comes to final implementation, it is the respective government’s that take the lead. This is where the legitimacy of a policy comes in. The approval of a cabinet or its chief executive (PM in Pakistan’s case) gives it authority. After implementation, other aspects like M&E comes into play that is carried out by a government or a nongovernment entity.
Rationalism: Policy for maximum welfare gain Ø First consider the term rationalism? What does it mean to be ‘rational’? Ø Welfare means many things to many people. So there are competing narratives. Generally though, its about the social gain of a society from particular perspectives like Education, Health, sanitation, clean water supply, etc. An improvement in these indicators means an improvement in overall welfare. Ø The criteria here, unlike many other indicators, revolves around unobserved, quantifiable gains too. For example, educating a child or improving the child’s health may cost the government a specific amount, but the gains are more than the cost to the government. Ø The critical aspect in designing policy based on rationalism for maximum social gain is that the gains (monetary plus non-monetary) should be more than the cost to the implementing actor (government or non-government).
Ø When talking about maximum social gain, consider the target population. Who will be affected positively or negatively? What will be the overall benefits to the people? Technically, a ‘trade-off’ is involved. Ø Examples of policies where non-monetary benefits are the outcomes. a) Immunization policy > relates to health b) Educating population > preparation of an educated workforce c) Rural area electrification > brings industrial and job opportunities d) Special education for mothers-to-be > Reduction in Infant mortality rates e) The availability of information> let’s people know who to contact when they are faced with a problem.
Incrementalism ü Why implement a new policy when an old one is doing fine? Politics and self-interest. ü Again, take the example of the Hydel Policy. Why was it discontinued given that there was a consensus on it, and that it meant quiet a considerable amount of savings? Self-interest/group interest and financial gains. ü At most, if there is a minor shortcoming or a flaw in it, then try to improve upon it. After all, those in power have the authority to do that.
- Slides: 10