PUBPOL 313

Stage of the policy process

Agenda Setting, Policy Formulation, Decision Making, Implementation, Policy Evaluation

Agenda Setting

How perceived problems become policy problems that governments commit themselves to addressing

Policy Formulation

The development of alternative courses of government activity designed to address problems which may be on or expected to appear on the government agenda

Decison Making

Givernmental authorities decide on a course of action which is expected to address some policy problemt

Implementation

Form and effect implementing officials at all levels iin public services and civil society determines policy success and failure leading to discretion for public servants leading to localized corruption or departures from family intent

Policy Evaluation

Assessment of the extent to which a policy to which a policy is achieving its stated objectives and if not how it can be improved

Success Factors

(Effective) Approach,(Positive) Attitude,Commitment,Cooperation,(Effective) Planning,(Effective) Resourcing,Enthusiasm,Leadership,Location of political responsibility,Management style,Ownership,Project Team/ Management dynamic,Role delineation, Skills and abilities,Stakeholder involvement,Trust, (Use of ) Networks,Values/beliefs

Evaluating Policy Tools

Effectiveness, Efficiency, Equity, Manageability, Legitimacy

Policy tools

Direct government,Social regulation,Economic regulation, Contracting with for-profit companies,Grant to nonprofits and lower levels of government, Direct loans,Insurance,Tax expenditure, User fees, Vouchers

Traditional Evidence Hierarchy Of Evidence (lowest validity to highest)

Case series/Reports, Case control study, cohort study, randomized control studies, systematic review/meta analyses

Top down Approach

Policies contain clearly defined goals against which performance can be measured

Bottom Up Approach

Considers the abilities and motivations of the lowest level implementors and tracks policy design from that level to the highest levels of governments

Direct Government

the “delivery of a good or service by government employees, funded by appropriations from government treasury”

Indirect Government

the government delivers public services through external organizations, such as private companies or non-profit groups

Indirect government vs contracting out

Indirect government is when the government provides services through another organization while maintaining control, whereas contracting out is when the government hires a private company to deliver services on its behalf.

3 characteristics of classic direct government

Work originates and is fully produced or delivered within public organizations, Government employees do the core work, Funded by general fund revenues, appropriated by elected leaders

Leadership

The ability to develop and command a following, [characterized by] clarity of vision and a legitimate mandate.

Skills and abilities

The capability and resourcefulness of individuals involved in implementation [characterized by] qualities such as extensive experience, adequate training and qualifications, and a practical approach to policy management.

Case series/Reports 1

Describes one or more patients and ranks low in the hierarchy because there is no comparison group to establish cause and effect.

Case control study 2

Compares people with and without a condition to identify past risk factors and ranks in the middle because it includes a comparison group but is prone to bias.

cohort study 3

Follows people over time to examine exposures and outcomes and ranks higher because it establishes the timeline between exposure and outcome.

Randomize Control Trials

Randomly assigns participants to treatment or control groups and ranks high because randomization reduces bias and helps establish cause and effect.

Systematic Review/Meta Analyses

Combines and evaluates results from multiple studies and ranks at the top because it summarizes the strongest available evidence to provide more reliable conclusions.

advantage of government contracting

Allows governments to reduce public spending and administrative responsibilities while benefiting from private companies' expertise, resources, and investment to deliver public services and infrastructure more efficiently.

Street Level Bureaucrat

a government employee who directly interacts with the public and has the authority to make decisions about how government policies are applied in everyday situations.

social regulation

Instead of directly forcing people or businesses to behave a certain way, the government uses financial incentives to encourage them to make socially beneficial choices.

High economic authority, low political authority

A large corporation, such as Walmart, has significant control over money, jobs, and resources but limited direct political power.

high political authority, low economic authority

A government leader, such as a president, has significant political decision-making power but may not personally control large economic resources.

Highway tolls are an application of what type of policy tool?

User Fees

Federal agencies that do NOT operate primarily through general fund allocations

U.S. Postal Service (USPS),Social Security Administration (SSA), Medicare, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC),Federal Reserve

Tax-related policy tool

Tax Expenditures, Fees and charges

Direct policy tool

Direct government, government corporations, economic regulations, direct loans

Indirect policy tools

Grants, contracting, social regulation, loan guarantees, tax expenditures, insurance, tort laws

direct government examples

Public schools, public hospitals, police departments, Public libraries, public transportation

indirect government examples

Private healthcare, Food assistance programs, Road construction, homeless shelters

policy tool: Social regulation

Child labor law enforcement, Speed limits, Pollution limits for

manufacturing, Truancy law enforcement

policy tool: Economic regulation

Anti-monopoly laws, Tariffs, Minimum wage laws, Cryptocurrency regulation

essential frontline workers in the healthcare field

Nurses,Doctors (physicians),

IV waste case

it involves establishing rules and standards for the proper disposal of intravenous (IV) waste

The IV Waste case

To ensure the safe and proper disposal of IV waste, prevent the spread of infections, and protect public health and the environment.Healthcare facilities, hospitals, medical staff, and other healthcare workers who handle and dispose of IV waste.

The Hollow State

Government hires outside organizations to provide services, such as healthcare, education, or social services. This relates to the Hollow State because the government still funds and oversees the services but relies on outside organizations to carry them out.

The National Highway System

The federal government uses grants, government contracting, and social regulation to fund highway construction, maintain roads, and establish transportation safety standards. Federal and state agencies work with engineers, contractors, and local governments to ensure successful implementation through cooperation, planning, adequate resources, strong leadership, employee skills, and stakeholder involvement.

The National Park System

The federal government uses direct government services, grants, and government contracting to protect natural resources, preserve historic sites, and provide visitor services. Park rangers, wildlife biologists, managers, and other employees support these efforts through conservation planning, cooperation, adequate funding, strong leadership, technical skills, and community participation.

The United States Postal System

Public enterprise, social regulation, and government contracting help provide reliable mail and package delivery services nationwide. Postal workers, inspectors, administrators, and private contractors maintain operations through effective planning, cooperation, sufficient resources, strong leadership, employee skills, and customer involvement.