Understanding Public Policy

Defining Policy

• Policy is a planned course of action taken by one or more actors to address a problem or concern
• Policies are purposive or goal-oriented
• Policies are not random or due to chance
• Policies result from recognizing or identifying a problem
• Problems addressed by policy should be collective or visible
• Policy is not an isolated decision, but a pattern of action over time
• Policy involves actions or inactions by actors
• Policy can lead to action or inaction
• Acceptance and implementation rely on the authority of the policy makers

Policy System

• Policies are made within an institutional framework that includes three elements
• Public policy formulation involves government bodies and officials
• Policy stakeholders are individuals or groups affected by policies
• The policy environment constitutes the specific context in which policies operate

Why Public Policy is Needed

• Policy addresses issues of equity and fairness
• Policy compensates for market failure
• Policy provides public goods
• Public policies operate in the public interest
• Policies maintain strict standards of commitment and legality
• It bridges the gap between public and private interests through cooperation, royalty, and influence
• Policy advances national pride

Types of Policy Papers

• White Papers are authoritative reports on public concerns, offering solutions, such as the 1994 White Paper on Housing
• Green Papers propose ideas for discussion among the nation and stakeholders; for example, the 2011 Green Paper on Land Reform

Who Makes Public Policy?

• Public policy is associated with government or the public sector
• National governments create public policy
• Local governments create public policy
• International institutions create public policy
• Civil Society Organizations (NGOs) and foundations also create public policy

How Policy Problems Arise

• Policy problems can emerge spontaneously from public pressure like complaints, demands, or demonstrations
• Some problems arise out of urgency
• Issues arise through public bodies, such as government agencies or civic bodies
• Media can bring issues to public attention, especially through investigative and analytical journalism
• Commissions of enquiry can be established by the government to investigate an issue
• Issues must have a wide impact

The Policy Process

• Policy problems are conditions preventing an organization from moving forward or opportunities that can be attained with public action
• Understanding policy problems requires knowledge and information
• Faulty information may lead to solving the wrong problem
• Stakeholder conflicts can arise from different groups having opposing priorities
• Implementation can pose challenges
• Political interference affects the the policy process

Policy Alternatives

• Policy alternatives are potential actions contributing to achieving values and resolving a policy problem
• Understanding the conditions that contribute to the problem is vital
• Generating information needs judgment, creativity, insight, and intention

Policy Actions

• Policy actions are a series of moves guided by policy alternatives
• Taking policy action requires information on the positive and negative consequences of different policy alternatives
• Information is obtained by forecasting and evaluating the expected consequences of action

Policy Outcome

• A policy outcome is the observed impact of policy actions
• The consequences of a policy are not fully known in advance
• Policy consequences are not always intended, or anticipated, but can be predicted
• Information on the consequences of alternative actions should be prepared both before and after a policy is enacted

Policy Performance

• Policy performance is the degree to which a policy achieves its objectives
• Policy problems are seldom fully solved; they are often resolved, reformulated, or remain unresolved
• Policy analysis is a methodology for policy problem restructuring, not a means of solving problems
• Policy performance information can develop new options or restructure existing issues

Nature of Policy Problems: Interdependence

• Policy problems are part of a larger system of problems
• Policy problems are messes that are difficult to resolve independently
• Effective problem solving requires a holistic approach, viewing the issue as inseparable and immeasurable from its context

Policy Problems: Subjectivity

• Policy problems are products of thought acting on the world
• They are mental artifacts resulting from transforming experiences through human judgment

Policy Problems: Artificiality

• As products of subjective human judgments, policy problems lack inherent existence, requiring individuals to define them

Policy Problems: Dynamic Nature

• There are often different definitions and solutions for a given problem
• Policy problems and solutions are not constant
• Policy problems evolve over time due to new information, social changes, or technological advancements

Policy Implementation: Constraints

• Factors negatively impacting policy implementation include constraints
• Policy-makers can't easily control constraints
• Constraints include human factors, such as political factors impacting the economy
• Natural constraints such as droughts or natural disasters affect policy implementation

Policy Implementation: Resources

• Resources must be available at the right time and in the right combinations through capacity management
• Implementation cannot proceed if resources are not generated and applied
• Resources include financials, human capital and physical ones

Policy Implementation: Cooperation

• Cooperation means agreement based on policy objectives
• Cooperation is needed among different stakeholders, agencies, and actors in policy implementation
• Policy implementation involves interdependence among stakeholders who should agree on key issues
• Cooperation is also based on a shared understanding of goals.

Policy Implementation: Task Specification and Sequences

• Adequate tasks and specifications are needed to complete a job
• Task indicators should be monitored and specified through communication
• Unanticipated issues like power cuts can always disrupt the process.

Policy Implementation: Compliance

• There must be cooperation at the receiving end
• A top-down approach fails without compliance from below
• Non-compliance stems from conflicts of interest or status disputes
• Compliance should be based on strict control via social and political force for obedience

Kinds of Policy Failure

• Program or implementation failure occurs when a policy cannot be implemented as desired or planned
• A policy can be implemented without targeted results, meaning the policy does not achieve the desired results or outcome

Policy Analysis Template

• Analysis should address the various meanings of policy
• Identify the objective of the particular policy
• The analysis should identify the success and challenges in the policy

Summary of Policy

• Policies respond to pressing problems
• Policies revolve around problems they intend to solve, like in housing and health
• The policy process is continuous and cyclical
• Policy problems are recurrent, policies can be reformulated, readopted, and re-implemented