Public Policy Process Overview

Study Notes

Public policy is a complex process that involves agenda setting, policy formulation, implementation, and evaluation.
The process is cyclical, meaning that evaluations lead to new policy formulation, which sets the agenda for implementation and subsequent evaluation.

Agenda setting is the process of bringing issues to the attention of policymakers.
The media plays a significant role in agenda setting, as it shapes the public's perception of issues.
Media agenda setting involves gatekeepers, major events, and public perception which ultimately influences the policy agenda.

Kingdon's theory suggests that policy making occurs when the problem stream, policy stream, and political stream converge.
The problem stream includes indicators, focusing events, and feedbacks that highlight the need for policy change.
The policy stream involves technical feasibility, value acceptability, financial viability, and public agreement regarding policy options.
The political stream considers the national mood, interest groups, and the government's stance on the issue.
Policy entrepreneurs play a crucial role in bridging these streams and identifying windows of opportunity for policy change.

Policy formulation involves developing policy alternatives for addressing the issue on the public agenda.
This process takes place in various settings, including government bureaucracies, interest groups, legislative committees, and policy planning organizations (think tanks).

Implementation involves putting policies into action and involves a complex and dynamic process.
The successful implementation depends on factors such as resources, administrative capacity, and public support.

Evaluation assesses the effectiveness and success of the implemented policy.
Evaluations can be quantitative or qualitative in nature, and they aim to identify any unintended consequences of the policy.
Ideally, evaluation should be a continuous process to inform future policy iterations.
Most evaluations are unprogrammed and informal, often driven by complaints from interest groups or media reports.