POLSC108 MT Reviewer PDF

Introduction to Political Analysis and Research POLSC108 INSTRUCTOR: PROF. LIBRE INTRODUCTION: Coverage of exams: Reading material #1 : Historical Perspectives, policy science by Lasswell, Reading Material # 2: Theories of the Policy Cycle, policy development process and agenda for effective instit...

Introduction to Political Analysis and Research POLSC108 INSTRUCTOR: PROF. LIBRE INTRODUCTION: Coverage of exams: Reading material #1 : Historical Perspectives, policy science by Lasswell, Reading Material # 2: Theories of the Policy Cycle, policy development process and agenda for effective institutions Reading Material #3: Policy making in the Philippines vis-a-vis other Foreign countries Number of Items: 50 pts; multiple choice and Essay Policy Science at the crossroads The problem of policy analyst - they are into policy research; look into the cost benefit Lasswell on the evolution of policy science ; policy science is framed on problem orientation and on addressing policy issues. Evolution of policy science is both institutional and political in nature. Why is there policy science? T put attention relative to the problem orientation of the activity and themes or policy issues that need to be addressed. Five political events in policy science: 1. World war II 2. War in Poverty 3. Vietnam war 4. Watergate scandal 5. Energy crisis in 1970s American politics is very influential relative to the end of world war II. Positivist Orientation - the results of the shortcomings that this will destroy the egalitarian, consequential, spontaneous, meaningful aspect of the human association, and repress on individuals when confounded with complex social issues. This argues that policy approaches relative to participatory analysis or deliberative democracy. Analytic Perspective from traditional to the new approach in understanding policy - policy researches still need to acquire a new set of analytic skills. Focus? The appropriate approach for the problem at hand rather than using a single approach to all problems. Addressing problems should be dependent on the nature of the problem. In the promotion of policy orientation has to mop out the policy process in connection with the social process. Mopping out hereby requires the context on a particular dilemma or problem. Policy of professionalism - the idea is the approach of the policy analysis in decision making with a high degree of expertise that checks activity and professionalism. This concept aims to elevate the quality of the policy analysis and even the decision making. If we apply this in the Philippines, we have the local government code being implemented; the bible of the local government officials. 1 The policy process has to go through agenda setting, identification of the issues, policy issues and policy formulation, budgeting, implementation, monitoring. This needs to be properly appreciated. Public consultation - basis where resolutions have to be properly substantiated. A platform to discuss policies with the people. A provision of an empirical basis that will serve or identify on whether the resolution being proposed is within legal basis. Theoretical framework - to understand society in the context of social science 4 major variants when we rationalize; 1. Cultural theory - will highlight the closeness of values being used owing to a shred background; 2. Cultural anthropology- shared interest of the collective with a social structural similarity 3. Individual rationalist theory - the form of understanding is focused on how individual humans are permitted to complete the freedom and no social structures takes the behavior; 4. Behavioral statistical theory - individuals attitudes and behaviors are tallied, compiled, and handled with Mathematics in order to combine empirical realities. Empirical Basis- Basis with clear data, the attempts to gather a positive knowledge on data that will answer the specific social question supported by thorough organization and analysis. 5 Stages of policy cycle: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Agenda setting- you list down all the problem and all the issues; problems has to be noticed, put into attention of the public, and a limited space defining the issues and its importance Policy formulation - you narrow down the range of the possible options to address the policy issue; e.g. Trash Decision making - where legislators legitimized policy. Selection of options Implementation - the crucial part, because all areas should be considered. Evaluation and Monitoring - where you figure out how policies worked; is it successful?What can we learn from it? Are the goals and objectives implemented? They will determine what needs to be maintained or replaced. Policy development process - we look at economic expansion and development. An emphasis on the importance to comprehend how policy reforms are created, evaluated, and presented to decision makers; What is the role of institutions? Institutions- are the key actors of the policy implementation process. E.g. Local government units, the officials, line agencies, media, civil society organizations, church. Their role has a significant impact. Ownership is a must and should get along on how these institutions actively engage in the implementation and the support system. The ones in charge in upholding the changes and development of the policies. Aims to convert policy into concrete changes in the real world. They have to be more smart ; specific, measurable, attainable, reliable, time bounded. Vital to facilitate directions of the policy making process. Main cause in the decline of economic 1. Lack of private investments 2. Rise of domestic and foreign dept 3. Government policy reversals 4. Non implementation of the corrective issues 5. Lack or insufficiency of budget and financial space. 6. Leadership role of policy implementers 2 7. Capacity of implementing agencies Public and Private dichotomy - government cannot stand alone without private organizations. The need for a support system from private; and because of the gaps that is needed to be filled. How do we address it? 1. Improve the fiscal management system 2. Expand the bases for engagement of exportation 3. Coordinate with institutions (direct, concerned) 4. A policy 5. Independent review for institutions (NEDA; considered as the think tank agency of the government cause they are the ones who lay out the plans and programs of the government) Agendas: Medium term expenditure framework, organization performance indicators framework, accountability monitoring and evaluation framework PIDS - philippine institute for development studies 3