Public Policy & Governance Lecture 1

These flashcards cover key vocabulary and concepts from the lecture on Public Policy & Governance, facilitating understanding of the main ideas and frameworks discussed.

Public Policy

Public policy is the set of actions, decisions, and instruments through which a government translates its political goals, values, and intentions into concrete outcomes that affect society.

Policy Cycle

A tool to help us think about the various activities involved in policymaking; includes agenda setting, formulation, decision, implementation, and evaluation.

Agency

The ability of an actor or group to make decisions in accordance with their values, ideals, and responsibilities.

Structure

Pre-existing governance organizations, institutions, and policies that influence any new decision in policymaking.

Policy Capacity

The ability to effectively attend to issues/problems amidst competing priorities, involving resources, legitimacy, and attention.

Evidence-based Policymaking

The practice of making policy decisions based on the best available evidence and research.

Political Corruption

The use of power by government officials for illegitimate private gain.

Sweet Spot

The ideal balance between structure and agency where effective policymaking occurs.

Decision-making

The process of making choices among alternatives to guide policies and actions.

Desired Outcomes

The intended results of public policies that reflect the goals of government actions.

what is public policy

Public policy refers to the principles and actions developed by governmental entities to address societal issues and achieve specific outcomes. It encompasses laws, regulations, and decisions made to promote the public good.

what is pp

policy is action, policy is judgment, policy is practice 

What knowledge is needed to make good

decisions?

Knowledge of the policy context, analytical skills, and understanding of stakeholders and outcomes.

Rational / Technocratic View

• Policy is seen as a logical problem-solving process.

2. Political / Power-based View

• Policy is not just about solving problems — it’s about who gets what, when, and how (Harold Lasswell, 1936).

Institutional view 

• Focuses on how institutions (laws, bureaucracies, norms) shape policy choices.

the three capacities

• Analytical capacity 🧠

  • Having the knowledge, data, and expertise to understand problems and craft sound solutions.

  • Example: economists or analysts in ministries producing policy reports or forecasts.

• Operational (or managerial) capacity ⚙

  • The practical ability to implement policies efficiently — resources, coordination, skilled bureaucracy.

  • Example: can the education ministry actually build the schools it promised?

• Political capacity 🗳

  • The ability to build support and legitimacy for policies — negotiating with stakeholders, parties, and the public.

  • Example: a government’s success in passing a reform through parliament.