POLI 359 Public Policy Making Session 6-Nature and Public Policy - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

POLI 359 Public Policy Making Session 6-Nature and Public Policy Making Lecturer: Dr . Kuyini Abdulai Mohammed, Dept. of Political Science Contact Information: akmohammed@ug.edu.gh College of Education School of Continuing and Distance Education 2016/2017 godsonug.wordpress.com/blog

Definition of Public Policy • Public policy defies a precise definition. For this reason there many definition of public policy. Each definition emphasize a particular dimension of reality of the discipline. • But none of the definitions is as exhaustive as to cover all the dimensions of reality of the subject. The definitions offered here are from: Thomas Dye, William Jenkins, James Anderson and Yehezkel Dror. Slide 2

Definition of Thomas Dye • ͚AŶLJthiŶg a goǀerŶŵeŶt Đhooses to do or Ŷot to do.͛ • ͚What goǀerŶŵeŶts do, ǁhLJ theLJ do it, aŶd ǁhat difference it ŵakes.͛ • The elements of the above definitions are: -Government is the agent of policy -Government makes choices in the course of making policies - GoǀerŶŵeŶt͛ s action and decision can be positive, negative or non-decision. Slide 3

Definition of William Jenkins • ͚ A set of interrelated decisions taken by a political actor or group of actors concerning the selection of goals and the means of achieving them within a specified situation, where these decisions should, in principle, within the power of those actors to aĐhieǀe.͛ • The key elements in the definition are: -Public policy making is a process rather than an event. -Public policy is made up of interrelated decisions. -Public policy making consumes resources. -Public policy making is goal-oriented. Slide 4

Definition of James Anderson • ͚A purposiǀe Đourse of aĐtioŶ folloǁed ďLJ aŶ aĐtor or set of aĐtors iŶ dealiŶg ǁith a proďleŵ or ŵatter of ĐoŶĐerŶ͛ • The key elements in this definition are: -There a multiple actors in the public policy making arena. -Nevertheless, government ultimately determines policy and is responsible for implementation and evaluation. -Establishes a link between government action and perception, real or otherwise, of the existence of a problem or concern requiring action. Slide 5

Definition of Yehezkel Dror • ͚A ǀerLJ Đoŵpledž aŶd dLJŶaŵiĐ proĐess ǁhose ǀarious components make different contributions to it. It decides major guidelines for action directed at the future mainly by governmental organizations. These guidelines on policies formally aim at achieving what is in the public interest by the best possible ŵeaŶs.͛ • The key elements in this definition are: -Public policy making is a complex and dynamic process. -Public policy aims at achieving the public interest. -Public policy should be made efficiently and effectively. Slide 6

Thread that runs through the Definitions • A policy is a set of decisions or courses of action. • It is intentional and is undertaken by government and other actors. • It concerns the methods of accomplishing a purpose within a specified situation. • It involves the assessment of pros and cons of alternative courses of action. • It extends over time rather than being separate discrete decisions. • It is purposive or goal oriented rather than due to chance. Slide 7

Thread that runs through the DefiŶitioŶs ;ĐoŶt͛ d ฀: • It authoritatively guides the numerous decisions made in implementing the objectives chosen. • It connotes interaction with the environment. • The environment imposes constraints on the attainment of objectives. • The term policy is used here to embrace both what is intended and what occurs as a result of the intention. • It is operationally identified not by its goals. • Rather it is identified by its actual behaviour in attempting to affect the goals. Slide 8

Thread that runs through the DefiŶitioŶs ;ĐoŶt͛ d ฀: • Public policy then is policy developed and pursued under the authority of government • Public policy making is concerned with policy: -Development -Implementation -Evaluation Slide 9

Characteristics of Public Policy • It is very complex – involves multiple interactions at many different levels • It is a dynamic process – continuous activity changes over time • It involves multiplicity of various components, structures and substructures • The different structures and substructures make different contributions to public policy • It involves decision making. Slide 10

Characteristics of Public Policy ;ĐoŶt͛ d ฀: • It lays down general directives rather than detailed orders. • It is action-oriented and results in external action. • It is futuristic – introduces the ever present element of uncertainty. • It is mainly conducted by governmental organizations. • It formally aims at achieving what is in the public interest. • It aims at achieving the public interest by the best possible means. Slide 11

Distinction between a Policy and a Decision • Decision making denotes the choice of an alternative from among a series of competing alternatives. • It is a conscious choice between two or more alternatives. • A policy is a purposive course of action or inaction followed by an actor or set of actors in dealing with a matter of concern. • A person makes a decision but a group make a policy. • A policy has wider ramifications and a long term perspective than a decision. Slide 12 • A policy is bigger than a decision.

Distinction between a Policy and a Program • A policy is a broad statement of goals and means. • A program consists of the actions to achieve the ends of a stated policy. • A variety of programs may be developed in response to the same policy goals. • For example, the School Feeding Program, School Sandals Program and the school Uniform program are in Ghana are all under the Education Reform Program. • In one vein several programs can response to a policy goal but in another, it a program can stand alone as a policy. Slide 13

Distinction between a Policy and a Law • A policy is a broad statement of goals and means. • Law is a system of rules and guidelines usually enforced through a set of institutions. • Law shapes politics, economics and society. • Law serves as mediator of relations between people. • Law can compel or prohibit behaviour (e.g. requiring the payment of taxes and making abortion illegal). • While policy merely guides actions towards those that are more likely to achieve desired outcomes. • Public policy must be formulated within a legal framework. Slide 14

Distinction between a Policy and a Law ;ĐoŶt͛ d ฀: • Law is the traditional instrument of government policy. • Law provides the final guarantee that policy intention can be translated into action. • Law can facilitate, allowing a course of action. • Law can coerce, requiring or prohibiting certain behaviour. • Law creates and govern institutions. • Some laws are symbolic, stating aspirations of social value • Laws are also binding on government, and may impose. specific an unique obligations on the political, policy and administrative domains. Slide 15

Distinction between Policy and Politics • Politics refers to art and science of governing a political entity like a nation. • Politics generally revolves round government and its activities. • Politics refers to the theory and practice of governance. • Politics denotes authority and public life. • In a democratic systems political parties run the government. • These parties all adhere to certain policies. • PoliĐLJ is aŶ oǀerall plaŶ of a goǀerŶŵeŶt͛s geŶeral goals. Slide 16

Distinction between Policy and Politics ;ĐoŶt͛ d ฀: • A policy is a statement of intent with the accompanying means to translate it into concrete phenomena. • It is on the basis of policies that a government is held accountable. • All public policies are inherently political. • Policies involve political decisions made not just by politicians but a range of decision makers. • These decision s are complex – they necessitate the weighing of competing interests. • Policy decision necessitate cooperation and competition. Slide 17

Distinction between Policy and Politics ;ĐoŶt͛ d ฀: • A policy decision also necessitates conflict. • Politics means more than just the business of government. • Politics is an aspect of all social relations. • Politics is a central part of any situation where groups of people make decisions. • Policy making is political because it entails the distribution of power among and between groups and individuals. • The distribution of power is unequal and results in winners and gainers. Slide 18 • Thus policy making is political because:

Distinction between Policy and Politics ;ĐoŶt͛ d ฀: • It involves conflict and cooperation • It involves struggle for power and influence • It involves struggle for authority • The struggle involves groups and individuals both inside and outside government • Politics is not only about implementing party platform • It also involves attaining and keeping government through policies that attract voters • Philosophy and ideology are important in politics. Slide 19