SYMBOLS Chapter 6 POLICY PARADOX The Art of

SYMBOLS Chapter 6 POLICY PARADOX The Art of Political Decision Making Deborah Stone Presented by: Mirna P Amaya Louis Velasco William Walders Jingbo Yu Gail Young

What are Symbols? Symbols – Anything that stands for something else. meaning depends Collectively created Role 2

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Why are symbols important in Politics?

In what ways are Symbolic Devices helpful in defining problems in Politics? Following are Key in policy problem definition: 1 Narrative Stories 2 Synecdoches 3 Metaphors 4 Ambiguity 6

How Many Devices are there in Problem Definition? a) b) c) d) 1 2 3 4

1 -Narratives Stories Which of the following represent features of Narrative stories? 1) Often unspoken. 2) Widely shared. 3) Hold a powerful grip on our psyche. 4) Offer promise of resolution for scary problems. 5) All of the Above. 6) None of the Above.

1 Stories 2 Broad Story lines – Story of Decline. Story of stymied progress. Story of progress-is-only-an-illusion. – Story of Helplessness and control. Conspiracy story. Blame the victim story. – The two stories are often woven together. 9

1 Stories Story of Decline Story of stymied progress. Story of progress-is-only-an-illusion. 10

1 Stories Story of Helplessness and control Conspiracy story. Blame the victim story. – The two stories are often woven together. 11

1 -Stories Why Are stories important in Politics?

2 Synecdoche (si-nek-duh-kee) A synecdoche is a figure of speech that presents a kind of metaphor in which: – A part of something is used for the whole. – The whole is used for a part. – The special for the general or – The general for the special. *Dictionary. com 13

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Why are Synecdoche Important in Politics? Source: New York Times, Feb. 7, 2005, based on Budget of the United States FY 2007.

2 Synecdoche & Policy Why is it a powerful political strategy? – Mislead the masses. Horror story & worse case mentality. – Organizing tool. – Mobilizes anger. – Reduces scope of an issue (more manageable). suddenly becomes prototype and not the entire issue. 16

3 Metaphors Type of implied comparison. Using a word that denotes a certain thing to describe another. Every policy metaphor contains assumption that if a is like b, then you would solve both a and b the same way. Once sensitized, can be found everywhere. 17

3 Metaphor: Types Social institutions as “living organisms” “Wedges and incline” “Containers” Natural laws as “unintended rewards” War “Machines and mechanical devices” “Disease”” 18

3 Metaphor: Why do Language and Symbols Matter? Names and labels. Strategic problem definition. Symbolic devices. Metaphors so often go unnoticed because they are a part of our cultural way. 19

Examples of Metaphors ''If this keeps up, eventually these hospitals will not be state of the art. '‘ (New York Times, Jeff Holtz, Jan. 7, 2007) “This year will be "make or break" for the NHS, according to a report out today. ” (Northern Echo, Nick Bosanquet, Jan. 2, 2007) “Shift in Congress Puts Health Care Back on the Table; Expecting a Mixed Reaction Across the Aisle, Democrats Plan to Offer Ideas on Drug Cost, Safety” (The Washington Post, Christopher Lee, Dec. 25, 2006) 20

Why are Metaphors important?

4 Ambiguity “The most important feature of all symbols, both in art and in politics. ” 22

4 Ambiguity Define – Ability of statements, events and experiences to have >1 meaning. “Glue” of politics. Agreements Possible – Allows people to agree on laws and policies because they can read various meanings into words. 23

4 Ambiguity : Context The context in which you find a symbol can determine its meaning. 24

4 Ambiguity Politics: Science or art? (if you show this diagram to different scientists around the world they would all conclude its an atom. ) 25

4 Ambiguity Why is it essential in politics? Multiple interpretations possible. Makes it possible to reach a compromises. Leaders can gain support from different types of people. 26

4 Ambiguity Why is it essential in politics? People that have different policies in mind can be grouped in one. Brings people, who support policies for different reasons, together. (environmentalists and salesman). 27

4 Ambiguity Why is it essential in politics? May avoid conflict by passing an ambiguous statute and letting others deal with the controversial aspects. May solve conflict between two parties by “giving rhetoric to one side and the decision to the other. ” May help when individuals are indecisive about supporting a leader. When individuals hold contradictory views, eg. on welfare, politicians can focus on the ambiguous symbol and not on the actual practice. 28

4 Ambiguity Why is it essential in politics? Think about the following: Who would You give welfare to? 29

Have a Great Gator Day! Are there any questions? 30