Understanding Public Policy Paper

Understanding Public Policy

Bryan Valenzuela

PPA699: Public Policy Development

Instructor: Chiji Ohayia

October 31, 2014

The public policy process is a never ending cycle that has several stages which are designed to assist policy-makers in the development of public policy. Each stage of this process is overlapping and similar to steps that exhibit a sequential flow in which policy-makers utilize to identify a specific social problem, set agenda’s concerning the issue, formulate a policy using alternative proposals and budgeting to determine funding. The last stages of the process involve implementing and evaluating the policy to see if goals are being met as well as identifying cost vs. benefits or any intended/unintended effects. In order for the public policy process to be effective, successful policy analysis goes beyond being able to collect data or using optimization models and the identification of failures, it encompasses the anticipation of issues needing analysis, determining root causes, and developing effective recommendations to address social issues. The focus of this paper will be to assess the importance of policy analysis during policy development and implementation as well as discussing the long-term social impact of public policy.

Public policy is the scope in which the government operates; it is generally defined as an intricate system of laws, regulatory measures, course of action, and funding priorities concerning a given topic promulgated by a governmental entity or its representatives (Kilpatrick, 2000). Policy analysis on the other hand is the act of finding out what governments do, how they do it, and if any the difference it makes to ease societal problems and improve quality of life. Policy analysis is important for several different reasons, it assists in the policy making process by identifying any alternative policies that best fit the need and which are most likely to accomplish goals, and minimize undesired outcomes. Dunn (2003) explains that policy analysis methods offer the means needed to evaluate the policy alternatives and provide recommendations on the preferred policy approach to achieve the various economic, social or political goals (Dunn, 2003). It can also be used as a tool to evaluate existing policies and provide appropriate recommendations.

POLICY ANALYSIS & POLICY IMPLEMENTATION

The development phase of public policy is a multi-stage cycle that begins with problem identification, the way policy analysis plays an influential role in the decision-making process is by utilizing a systematic approach to evaluate policy options as they relate to any desired outcomes or goals at hand. Policy analysis plays an instrumental role in the decision-making process in order to craft the most effective policy that can achieve the established goal (Dye, 2007). Policy analysis is typically characterized by various methods including; quantitative & qualitative research, institutional and rational models whose objectives during this process is to identify the best policy agenda in the most efficient and effective way. Policy analysis is also plays a critical role in identifying avenues of approach for improvement. According to Guess & Farnham (2011), policy analysis during the implementation phase of public policy serves as a tool for corrective action identifying aspects of the policy that require revision (Guess & Farnham, 2011).

SOCIAL IMPACT OF PUBLIC POLICIES

Public policy is enacted by government and government entities through various programs, actions and decisions in attempts to address various social issues affecting the public. These issues can range from crime, education, healthcare, national security, etc. to name a few and all have an effect on domains such as the public, politics, environment, and the economy. It is the complexity of human behavior that most often is the basis for understanding and establishing policies that regulate the welfare of the public and its economic system. Therefore the impact of public policy on society most often depends on its effectiveness and efficiency however our text states most of society’s problems are shaped by so many variables that a simple explanation of them, or remedy for them, is rarely possible (Dye, 2011). It is only with policy analysis that the impact of policies can be measured and tailored to societal needs.

Public policies have many intended and unintended consequences when it comes to social impact. For the most part governments enact public policies as safeguards to protect both the economy and its citizens. For instance, increased consumer protection and public safety measures take the form of policy to ensure safer work environments, safer products and services are being provided to the public, a cleaner environment, increased police protection, and many other facets of society the common person does not see. Initiating policy to protect or enhance these services best serves the need of the public and in doing so can increase the quality of life and public safety. Economic development is also shaped by public policy and has a definite impact on society. For instance policy that is enacted to increase minimum wage levels helps improve the financial lives of employees that are at the threshold of poverty while promoting social equality and fairness. Policies aimed at improving education can also create a better skilled workforce.

LIMITS ON GOVERNMENT POWER

Public interest is at the heart of public policy and decision-making, so therefore it is hard to say if the size of the government is directly related to the need of the people or the scope in which it needs to operate. Because there are so many factors affecting society the government tries to keep up by enacting policy to ease any burdens. What the public does not realize is the more problems that are created; the more government has to step in and as a result grows to accommodate the need or address the issue. In actuality the government’s role is just to oversee any implementation of policy that best fits the interest of the public. In addition, stakeholders also have an impact on limiting government power by shaping policy planning through special interest groups. Once a policy is crafted by stakeholders (special interest groups) the only thing left for the government to do is implementing and overseeing it. In conclusion this paper assessed the importance of policy analysis through the implementation of public policy by identifying the social impact and any limits it may pose on the government.

References:

Dunn, W. (2003) Public Policy Analysis: An Introduction. New Jersey: Prentice Hall.

Dye, T. (2007) Understanding Public Policy (12th Ed.). New Jersey: Prentice Hall.

Dye, T. (2011) Understanding Public Policy (13th Ed.). New Jersey: Prentice Hall.

Guess, G., & Farnham, P. (2011). Cases in Public Policy Analysis Georgetown: Georgetown University Press.

Kilpatrick, D. (2000) Definitions of Public Policy and the Law Retrieved from http://www.mainweb-v.musc.edu/vawprevention/policy/definition.shtml