Policy Making in the Public Sector – Vocabulary Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards drawn from AMP260S lecture notes on policymaking in the public sector, covering policy levels, instruments, models, evaluation, and governance.

Policy making

The process of formulating, implementing, monitoring, and evaluating public policies within the public sector.

Public policy

Government statements of intent that guide officials in providing services and regulating society to address public issues.

Policy processes

The cycle of policymaking, implementation, monitoring, evaluation, and analysis.

Need for public policy

The rationale for policy: to provide goods/services, reconcile conflicting interests, and secure the wellbeing of communities.

Levels of policy

A hierarchical framework comprising political policy level, administrative executive policy, and operational policy.

Political policy level

The highest policy level reflecting the governing party's objectives (e.g., national policy agendas).

Administrative executive policy

Policy at the bureaucratic level guiding how government departments implement decisions; may overlap with political policy.

Operational policy

On-the-ground decisions by supervisors dictating how to implement policy in practice.

Hierarchy of institutions

Organizational structure (legislative, political executive, administrative executive) that shapes policy making and implementation.

Policy directives

Instruments used to regulate public functionaries, issued through legislation, regulations, proclamations, circulars, delegation, bylaws, etc.

Legislation

Statutory law enacted by Parliament that shapes policy and may authorize actions.

Regulations

Rules made under an Act to implement policy; specify details and procedures.

Proclamations

Official public announcements addressing important matters; a form of subordinate legislation.

Circulars

Official communications guiding the behavior or procedures of public officials.

System of Delegation

Distribution of authority within an organization to perform tasks at various levels.

Bylaws

Local regulations enacted by municipalities to implement policy at the local level.

Subordinate legislation

Laws made under a primary Act, including regulations, bylaws, proclamations, and circulars.

Bardach’s Eightfold Public Policy Analysis

An eight-step framework for policy analysis: define problem, assemble evidence, construct alternatives, select criteria, project outcomes, confront trade-offs, decide, tell your story.

ADEPT model

Analysis of Determinants of Policy Impact; a framework linkingGoals, Obligations, Resources, Opportunities to Output and Outcome to produce policy impact.

Monitoring and evaluation

Assessment of policy development and implementation, using formative (during) and summative (after) evaluations.

Formative evaluation

Evaluation during implementation to test viability, identify strengths and weaknesses, and guide improvements.

Summative evaluation

Retrospective assessment of policy impact and performance; accountability to the public.

Summative policy analysis model (Rabie & Cloete)

A model describing retrospective evaluation focusing on policy outcomes, efficiency and service delivery accountability.

Role players in public policy making

Actors including civil society, interest groups, legislative bodies, cabinet, commissions of enquiry, interdepartmental committees, media, and officials.

Policy implementation & delivery functions

Setting aims, planning, programming, marketing, clarifying policies, and evaluating/feedback to ensure delivery.

Marketing of policies

Efforts to promote policy acceptance by explaining needs, impacts, implementation, and monitoring, aligned with public relations.

Values in policymaking

Policy decisions are guided by abstract values (e.g., integrity) and concrete values (efficient resource use); concrete values guide implementation.

Constitution as policy statement

The Constitution is the supreme policy statement; declares actions, rights, and procedures for governance.

Bill of Rights

Part of the Constitution listing fundamental rights that guide government action.

National Health Act, 61 of 2003

Defines Municipal Health Services and allocates authority to enter premises and regulate health services.

Municipal Health Services (MHS)

Public health services delivered by municipalities, including food control, licensing, and inspections.

Health Professions Act, 56 of 1974

Regulates the scope of health professions and related professional matters.

Local government structure (Schedules)/Local government powers

Constitutional schedules outline powers and functions for local government and enable by-laws and licensing.

Parliamentary process for policy authorisation

Policy proposals require approval through caucuses/conferences, public comment, and cabinet submission; legislation or by-laws may follow.

Policy cycle components

Policy making, implementation, monitoring, evaluation, and analysis as an integrated cycle.

Levels of government

National, provincial, and local spheres with respective powers and administrative structures.

Subordinate legislation examples

Regulations, by-laws, notices, proclamations and circulars enacted under primary Acts.

Constitutional framework for health policy

Constitutional sections and schedules that enable Municipal Health Services and health regulations.

Primitive terms: Acts, Bills, and Laws

Bills are legislation proposals; Acts are laws enacted by Parliament; subordinate legislation implements Acts.