Defining Public Policy 2024 PDF

19/07/2024 Defining public policy School of Public Leadership Prof Babette Rabie Economic and Management Sciences...

19/07/2024 Defining public policy School of Public Leadership Prof Babette Rabie Economic and Management Sciences | EyeNzululwazi ngoQoqosho noLawulo | Ekonomiese en Bestuurswetenskappe Learning objectives: Theme 1: Definitions of Definitions of public policy public policies Nature of public policy Instruments of public policy Public policy values and ethics Economic and Management Sciences | EyeNzululwazi ngoQoqosho noLawulo | Ekonomiese en Bestuurswetenskappe 1  19/07/2024 Definitions of Public Policy A public sector statement of intent, including sometimes a more detailed Formal articulation, declaration and program of action, to give effect to implementation of intent (Ranney, selected normative and empirical goals in Hanekom) order to improve or resolve perceived Interpretation of values in society problems and needs in society in a (Howlett & Ramesh) specific way, thereby achieving desired changes in that society (Cloete et al 2024) The authoritative allocation of values to society through political process Public policy is a government’s reaction to (Easton) environmental demands for a change in Comprehensive framework for the status quo as a result of perceived everything government decide to do problems in society that need intervention or not to do (Dye) from the government to regulate, Guide to delimit action (Starling) manage, improve or eradicate them (Cloete et al 2024) Economic and Management Sciences | EyeNzululwazi ngoQoqosho noLawulo | Ekonomiese en Bestuurswetenskappe Nature of public policy Public policy aims to transform real or perceived problems into a more acceptable future state or solutions Public policy can be pre-emptive or reactive in responding to problems Policies are not always deliberately conceived or written down No policy in itself can be an indication of the response to a problem Public policy is subjective and informed by value judgements, ethics, values, society and relationships The policy context is complex and constantly subjected to changes in problems, solutions, policy makers, expectations and resources Institutional arrangements and management decisions can influence the nature of adopted policies Economic and Management Sciences | EyeNzululwazi ngoQoqosho noLawulo | Ekonomiese en Bestuurswetenskappe 2  19/07/2024 Related terms Policy content: The intentions and operations of the policy, including policy outputs and outcomes Policy analysis: the systematic analysis and assessment of variables influencing the policy, alternative options and likelihood and impact of policy outcomes Policy management: Implementation of the content of the policy through processes and programmes Policy analysts: Researchers, planners or managers who identify and assess current and impeding problems, understand the impact of the problem and propose appropriate solutions Economic and Management Sciences | EyeNzululwazi ngoQoqosho noLawulo | Ekonomiese en Bestuurswetenskappe Policy typologies and levels Public, voluntary & private sector policies Political, executive, administrative & technical policies Extractive, distributive, regulatory, protective, care/welfare, development, symbolic policies International level policies National level policies State / provincial level policies Regional level policies District level policies Local / community level policies Economic and Management Sciences | EyeNzululwazi ngoQoqosho noLawulo | Ekonomiese en Bestuurswetenskappe 3  19/07/2024 Policy instruments Constitution Substantive Green paper & Policy White papers Legislation: Acts & Regulation policy: Applicable Press statements, speeches to all of society Circulars Strategic plan & Budget Programmes & Project Plans Operational policy: Administrative circulars Applicable to all Operational policy members of the Procedural guidelines (SOP) organisation Economic and Management Sciences | EyeNzululwazi ngoQoqosho noLawulo | Ekonomiese en Bestuurswetenskappe Economic and Management Sciences | EyeNzululwazi ngoQoqosho noLawulo | Ekonomiese en Bestuurswetenskappe 4  19/07/2024 Economic and Management Sciences | EyeNzululwazi ngoQoqosho noLawulo | Ekonomiese en Bestuurswetenskappe Economic and Management Sciences | EyeNzululwazi ngoQoqosho noLawulo | Ekonomiese en Bestuurswetenskappe 5  19/07/2024 Economic and Management Sciences | EyeNzululwazi ngoQoqosho noLawulo | Ekonomiese en Bestuurswetenskappe Policy values and ethics (chapter 4) Society has conflicting values and views on what is “right” or “wrong”, “desired” or “best for society”. This determines how problems and potential solutions are viewed. Values are the beliefs of individuals or groups Societies are diverse and unequal and ethics can be subjected to many different interpretations With policy problems, there are conflicting value viewpoints, e.g abortion, legalisation of drugs, controlling price of basic goods Right and wrong are not always clear-cut decisions What is ‘right’ and what is ‘legal’ can also be conflicting Ethical dilemmas are situations where different people make conflicting judgements on what is morally right Policies serve to formalise certain norms and standards in society in response to these values Economic and Management Sciences | EyeNzululwazi ngoQoqosho noLawulo | Ekonomiese en Bestuurswetenskappe 6  19/07/2024 Conclusion Policy making involves decisions about the problems we face as a society It involves a value-judgement process on what is desirable In heterogeneous societies, different value judgements may be applied to the same policy issue, resulting in different ideas about what is desired The policy analyst plays an important role in unveiling assumptions and values to inform policy making Economic and Management Sciences | EyeNzululwazi ngoQoqosho noLawulo | Ekonomiese en Bestuurswetenskappe 7