Walt and Gilson’s (1994) Policy Triangle

• The framework underscores the importance of understanding policy creation and influences for social work practice and policy advocacy.

Walt and Gilson’s (1994) Policy Triangle

• Many frameworks exist for policy analysis and understanding policy debate.
• The Policy Triangle, developed by Walt and Gilson(1994) based in health policy analysis, comprises four interconnected components: context, process, actors, and content.
• For simplicity of learning, each element can be examined individually to inform overall analysis.

Context

• Refers to the historical and social conditions that influence policy development.
• Encompasses the cultural environment, shifts in dominant ideologies, and narratives surrounding specific problems.
• Raises questions about participation and whose voices are considered during policy creation.
• The media is an area to observe the contexts impacting policy developments.
• Context considers the society's readiness for a specific policy and how policy changes align with the social environment.
• National differences significantly impact policy outcomes.
• Example: Gun control policies in Australia and the US highlight the impact of differing social and cultural contexts on policy responses to similar events.
• Policy responses to gun violence differ vastly due to the US's constitutional right to bear arms and the influence of pro-gun lobbies like the NRA, contrasting with Australia's stricter regulations implemented after mass shootings.
• Policies are often tied to specific periods, with historical contexts shaping their acceptance and implementation.
• Public acceptance of same-sex marriage in Australia in 2017 depended on socio-cultural factors prevalent at the time.
• Prevailing ideologies and worldviews influence policy contexts, as seen in post-World War II welfare state policies emphasizing collectivism.
• Social democratic ideology led to publicly funded healthcare, unemployment benefits, and free education, in contrast to contemporary neoliberal approaches.
• Shifts in the approach to single parents illustrate ideological changes over time; from welfare state support in the 1970's, to the present neoliberal expectation of financial contribution alongside parenting.
• Narratives created around problems also drive policy solutions, often shaped by media influence.
• Contesting narratives, such as challenging the "pull yourself up by the bootstraps" mentality or questioning the term 'lifestyle choice' for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, plays a crucial role.
• The housing crisis illustrates narrative shifts from blaming young people's spending habits to highlighting landlord practices and investor tax incentives.

Process

• Refers to how policies are created, involving political and other processes.
• It is also about political processes where governments hold significant power over policy decisions.
• Democratic processes, such as government budgets, elections, and parliamentary committees, influence policy development.
• Organizations and the public can contribute to policy discussions through these avenues.
• Understanding the processes in different political systems is crucial for social workers, especially policy practitioners.
• Social movements, are another key aspect of the process in relation to policy development, particularly at the grassroots level.
• Examples: the Land Rights movement resulting in the Native Title Act, the international movement to end Apartheid, the #metoo movement.
• The media's response to incidents and crises shapes policy creation, with examples including drug-testing proposals for welfare recipients and movements like #metoo and #BlackLivesMatter.
• Processes also focus on if our clients have space to participate and whether social workers need to advocate in the policy processes.
• Media involvement can lead to moral panic and reactive policy change.
• Moral panics involve concern, hostility, consensus, disproportionality, and volatility, creating a spiral of panic and demonization that influences policy.
• Royal commissions are independent review processes that examine specific issues and recommend policy changes.
• Led by a commissioner, often a retired judge, and are limited by defined terms of reference.
• Royal commissions involve gathering evidence and can compel individuals and organizations to participate.
• Royal commission outcomes vary, with some leading to significant policy changes while others see limited implementation.
• They are expensive and lengthy, and can be used to postpone policy change but also to promote debate and interest in important issues.

Actors

• In the Policy Triangle actors refer to individuals or groups actively involved in policy development, including parliamentarians, lobby groups, media commentators, and affected individuals.
• Considers how actors interact with context and process, influenced by ideology and cultural context.
• Different contexts can either amplify or limit the voices of different actors.
• Considers whose voices are heard, and whether they represent or challenge the prevailing context.
• Recognizes the impact of loud voices overshadowing quieter, more complex perspectives.
• Highlights the unequal access to platforms for influencing policy and emphasizes the role of social workers in ensuring marginalized voices are heard.
• Connects individual clinical work with broader policy advocacy, ensuring client perspectives influence policy decisions.
• Key questions to consider are: Who can participate? Whose voices are being heard?

Content

• Refers to the substance of a particular policy, reflecting the culmination of context, process, and actors.
• Encompasses formal documentation, media statements, and informal stances.
• Reveals how policies are influenced by context, processes, and actors, highlighting whose perspectives are included and validated.
• Policies can be found on government websites, social media, political party platforms, and organizational websites.
• The National Suicide Prevention Strategy, Liberal Party policies, and ACOSS policy agendas serve as examples of policy content.
• It is a culmination of the 3 parts of the triangle framework.
• Only perspectives validated by the authorities are reflected.

Conclusion

• The Policy Triangle can be used to analyze policy, understand its origins, identify its creators, and assess its implications.
• Key to understanding the narratives, and problem solving approaches that result.
• Emphasizing the importance of understanding lived experiences and advocating for change to address harm and inequity resulting from policy choices
• It requires constant work of advocacy to change policy outcomes for marginalised communities.

The Policy Triangle comprises context, process, actors, and content. Context refers to the historical and social conditions that influence policy development, including cultural environment and dominant ideologies. It raises questions about participation and whose voices are considered during policy creation.