Public Policy Theories

• The policymaking process includes multiple factors.
• Public policy is the core topic.
• The complexity of U.S. policymaking is due to government structure, formal and informal government actors, interest groups, the public, and the media.

Elite Theory

• Experts or elites heavily influence policy development.
• Societal business, cultural, and government leaders constitute these elites.
• Issue networks are part of this theory.
• Public opinion is less influential.
• This theory occurs more often for complicated issues.

Group Theory

• Public policy is dominated by interest groups who are continuously struggling and counterbalance each other.
• Incremental change is how they shape policy.
• Advocacy Coalition Frameworks describes competing alliances of policy actors from different public and private institutions.

Institutional Theory

• Structure and process of institutions dominate policy making.
• Institutions involves government, corporations, and nonprofit organizations.
• Procedures and rules are followed.
• Government actors are involved.
• Structures and rules either enable or hinder policy making.

Rational Choice Theory

• Policy decisions are made by self-interested individual policy actors.
• Economical model is used.
• Rational choices are made to protect self-interests.
• Useful in predicting implications of policy alternatives.

Political Systems Theory

• Considers pressures on the process from the environment.
• Input-output model is used with policy outputs, policy outcomes, and feedback.
• Government responds to demands from interest groups and the public by making policy.
• The policy process flows inputs, such as policy outputs, outcomes, and feedback.

1a. Problem Definition

• Identifying the problem and its causes is critical.
• Policy analysis: Study the symptoms and causes of problems.
• Interest groups, media, and public opinion frame problems.
• Problem definition is biased.

1b. Agenda Setting

• Legislators begin active discussions about a problem and potential solutions.
• Two main agendas influence the process:
  • Systemic: Issue has public attention.
  • Institutional: issue does not have public debate.
• Problems often don't rise to this level and are ignored.

2. Policy Formulation

• Actions are conducted to deal with the problem.
• Many instruments are used in policy making, such as regulation or government spending.
• Formal and informal actors promote policy proposals.
• Debate always ensues.
• Importance of policy analysis is used to study the options.

Instruments of Public Policy

• Regulation
• Government management
• Taxing and spending
• Market mechanisms
• Education and information

Lowi's Policy Typologies categorize policy based on their impact:

• Distributive policy: Individualized grants and programs.
• Redistributive policy: Involves winners and losers (one gains, another pays).
• Regulatory policy: Government restriction of choice.
• Competitive regulations
• Protective regulations

3. Policy Legitimation

• The policy is then passed into law by a legislative body.
• Achieved when the policy is accepted by the public to be fully legitimized.
• It won't be implemented successfully without the public acceptance.

4. Policy Implementation

• Put policy into effect by organizing, interpreting, and applying activities.
• Activities that ensure the policy is put into effect include:
  • laws passed.
  • money spent.
  • regulations formulated.
• The executive branch handles most implementation through regulations.

5. Policy Evaluation and 6. Policy Change

• Policy outcomes are often disregarded.
• How well the policy worked and identification of the goals of a program are difficult to identify.
• Evaluation ideally feeds information to change and improve existing policy.