Policy analysis: session 6

Policy formulation

the process of generating and assessing options on what to do about a publicly recognized problem

Decision making

Specific course of action is approved by authoritative decision-makers in government and often passed into law or regulation bound for implementation

substantial constraints

constraints innate to the nature of the problem itself

procedural constraints

constraints placed on the government by the process that is required to adopt an alternative and carry it out

Policy capacity

the ability to marshal the necessary resources to make intelligent choices, in particular to set strategic directions, for the allocation of scarce resources to public ends

Policy advisory systems

A knowledge utilization system of government: a kind of marketplace for policy ideas and advice compromised of 3 components

1. supply of policy advice

2. demand on the part of decision-making

   1. set of brokers who role it is to match supply and demand

Policy networks

segments/arenas/subsystems where actors are involved in formulation (decision-making)

Iron triangles

a very closed of policy network, consisting of only 3 actors who promote policy solutions in stable interactions => closed process and control of the policy sector with limited access to interactions and outsiders

state dominated

the state invites other actors to weigh in on policy options, but steers the policy-formation process and the discussion with the non-governmental policy actors

society-dominated

groups take initiative to weigh in on policy formulation

bureaucratic network

state actors search for policy solutions: the policy formulation process happens inside of government

clientelistic network

the state directs the search of policy options, but consults one major societal group

captured network

one important societal group determines the direction of a policy area

triadic networks

two major societal groups determine the direction that policy will take

corporatist networks

policy is the result of compromise between 2 major societal groups, the government only needs to make it official

pluralistic network

the government consults many different societal groups/many groups try to influence the state in forming policy

issue network

many different societal actors pressure the government to action (often very specific issues)