Public Policy system (PPS)

Course Overview and Definition of Public Policy

Describe the theories of policy formulation and basic components of policy process
Identify and explain problems related to implementation of public policies Analyse public & natural resource policies Evaluate the Public and environmental policies Demonstrate the understanding of the planning process in the Public Policy

Assignment Quizzes

20% Mid-term Examination 25% 20% End-term Examination 35%

One Group assignment approved by the faculty

2500 3000 words You will be quizzed on your approach and the related readings. Group: Not more than four students Last date for selecting the assignment topics Policy Paper due on 16th July 23th August

Components of Public Policy system

Public Policy combines four important disciplines: Economics Efficiency and Equity; Sociology/Political Science- The authoritative allocation of social values; and Ecology - The inter-relationships of physical/ biological processes Communications; tenacity (Kingdon)

Policy, Program & Project

Objectives Activities Time frame Resources Economic Analysis

Policy & Law How does it affect your life?

Definitions

Values

A value is an enduring belief that a specific mode of conduct or end state of existence is personally or socially preferable to an opposite or converse mode of conduct or end state of existence.
Human values are enduring, but they also change over time. They are often taught in an absolute framework, eg., honesty Instrumental values modes of conduct Terminal values desirable end states

Values are standard that may guide behaviour.

Definitions

Attitudes

Attitudes are an organization of several beliefs around a specific object or situation

Values are single belief Values transcend objects and situations, attitudes are object and situation specific. A value is a standard

Definitions
Ethics An ethic is a statement of principle of conduct

Normative right & wrong

Public Agenda: What is in public debate? Governmental agenda: what is being examined in the government? Decision Agenda: Issues up for decision making in the government. Alternative: Course of action

The combination of basic decisions, commitments, and actions made by those who hold or affect government positions of authority. In most instances, these arrangements result from interactions among those who demand change, those who make decisions, and those who are affected by the policy in question (Larry N. Gerston)
Public policy issues are the passengers that move off and on the wheels of government (Larry N. Gerston)

A proposed course of action of a person, group or government within a given environment providing obstacles and opportunities which the policy was proposed to utilize and overcome in an effort to reach a goal or realize an objective or purpose. (Frederich, 1963) A broad guide to present and future decisions, selected in light of given conditions from a number of alternatives; the actual decision or set of decisions designed to carry out the chosen course of actions; a projected program consisting of desired objectives (goals) and the means of achieving them. (Daneke and Steiss, 1978)

Public policy is the broad framework of ideas and values within which decisions are taken and action, or inaction, is pursued by governments in relation to some issue or problem. (Brooks, 1989)

Briefly stated, public policy is a choice or decision made by government that guides subsequent actions in similar circumstances.

Public policy is purposive goal oriented Public policy consists of patterns of actions instead of a single action What governments actually do, not what they say It may be either positive or negative (Action or Inaction) Public policy is authoritative- allocation of public resources or values; i.e. tax reform, school uniforms

Symbolic- policies that tend to provide more psychological relief than actual change in the political system. i.e. legislation against flag hoisting on private buildings, Sometimes substantive issues are addressed by symbolic responses
Difference between "Public" and "private" is based upon who is affected by an activity. If some action affects others outside of the direct participants, then the matter could be considered public. Public institutions are the vehicles through which public policies are formulated and carried out.

Policy has content- in form of policy statements and policy instruments- and it has process-policy making, implementing and reviewingReal world policy (in contrast to formal policy documents) is the net result of a tangled heap of formal and practical decisions by those with varying powers to act on them (Mayers & Bass). Policy in action vs. Formal policy document Policy is not the monopoly of the government Do you participate in the policy formulation?

Is it what the people want?

Claimants are satisfied Solving the most serious problems
As the experts see them effectively

Is it what the government experts tell us we need?

Is it what the economists say maximizes the efficient use of resources?

Societal net benefits

Dahl & Lindblom

Ecological
Preserving options Irreversibility Biological diversity

Economy
Efficiency Equity Sustainability Social acceptability Freedom

Physical/Biological feasibility Economic efficiency Economic equity Social/cultural acceptability Operational/administrative practicability Integration

Program

Objectives

Activities

Effectiveness Criteria A1 . . . .
P

Impacts
I U

P1 . . . . Pn

O1 . . . .

A1 . . . .

PI

PU

SI

SU

I= Intended, U=Unintended, P=Pr. Impact, S=Sec. Impact

Cook & Scioli, Jr., 1975