Chapter 3
Basic Policy Analysis in Six Steps
Step 5: Analyzing Alternatives
Political, social, and economic side effects of a proposed policy should be identified.
Possible unknown uncertainties associated with a policy must be reported.
Analysts should reflect on whether the proposed solution might cause problems worse than those it aims to resolve.
A quote highlights this concern: "every solution breeds new problems."
Analysts should ascertain if clients are willing to accept potential negative consequences.
Methods for mitigating unintended consequences should be considered.
Example: Raising the age for a driver's permit may lead to increased bus and subway usage, which could lead to fears among older transit riders.
Questions to assess potential outcomes:
Can local governments alleviate transit fears?
Will the court system handle increased cases from stricter traffic law enforcement?
A worst-case scenario worksheet can help to visualize potential negative outcomes of implementation.
Analysts need to reassess whether the correct problem has been identified, and whether important components have been overlooked.
The analysis should also consider if conditions have shifted, suggesting a need for alternative assessments or new data.
Analysts should validate their earlier conclusions with updated data where necessary.
Peer reviews should be conducted, involving both professionals and nonprofessionals alike, to identify inconsistencies and errors in the analysis.
Final implementation should clarify tasks, responsibilities, monitoring, and evaluating the policy outcomes.
Step 6: Monitoring and Evaluating the Implemented Policy
Analysts usually do not directly implement preferred policy alternatives; instead, operational staff of agencies perform this task.
Analysts should remain involved in:
Creating implementation guidelines.
Ongoing maintenance, monitoring, and evaluation after the implementation.
Reflective assessment is crucial to ascertain whether the issue was correctly addressed by the selected policy and if it is being executed as intended.
Questions that need answers include:
Is the implemented policy yielding the anticipated outcomes?
If enforced measures are in place (e.g., daytime driving restrictions), is compliance occurring?
Evaluation designs might involve:
Comparing accident or death rates before and after policy implementation.
Using time-series analysis to track changes related to the policy over time.
Commitment to research analysis methods, despite time constraints for quick evaluations.
Exercise 2.8: Teenage Driver Auto Accident Rates
Identification of Problem
Teenage drivers pose unique challenges; they have the highest accident rates causing significant repair costs and alarming rates of injury and fatalities.
Nationally categorized as a pressing health concern for teenagers in the USA.
Data from a 2006 CQ Researcher study reveals that 15-20-year-olds compose roughly 6.4% of the population but are involved in 14% of fatal crashes, often exacerbated by alcohol consumption.
Annually, it is estimated that around 9,000 fatalities result from accidents involving teen drivers.
Steps for the Analysis Assignment
Verify, define, and detail the problem: - Ensure the correct issue has been identified.
Establish evaluation criteria: Identify metrics for assessing possible solutions.
Identify alternative policies: List relevant alternatives addressing the problem.
Evaluate these alternative policies: Analyze pros/cons and potential outcomes for each.
Display alternatives and select the preferred alternative: Methodically present alternatives for better decision-making by stakeholders.
Monitoring results after implementation: Develop a plan to evaluate the effectiveness of the policy after it has been enacted.
Glossary Definitions
Key Terms
Act-Deontology: Ethical theory focusing on moral principles and situational choices in ethical dilemmas.
Act-Utilitarianism: Theory which posits that an act is morally right if it results in the greatest happiness for the greatest number.
Anticipatory Policy Analysis: Also known as Prospective Policy Analysis, involves analysis before a policy's implementation.
Descriptive Policy Analysis: Focus on evaluating policy outcomes after the fact, referred to as "ex post" analyses.
Evaluative Policy Analysis: A subset of descriptive analysis evaluating whether a policy's intended purposes were met.
Chapter Summary
Policy Analysis Framework
This chapter emphasizes the importance of a structured approach to policy analysis, highlighting a six-step framework for analyzing public policy.
Steps include defining problems clearly, establishing evaluation criteria, identifying alternatives, evaluating alternatives, distinguishing among policies, and monitoring outcomes.
Emphasis on iterative feedback between steps for continuous improvement rather than a rigid lock-step process.
Provides foundational skills and methodologies for upcoming chapters to elaborate on the tools for effective policy analysis.
Reinforces that policy analysis is both an art and a science involving creative problem solving and data presentation.
Key Data Sources in Policy Analysis
Federal and Local Data Resources
Federal Agencies: Key sources of demographic and economic data, including Bureau of the Census and Department of Labor Statistics.
State and Local Agencies: Various state departments compile data and can provide localized reports relevant to specific problems.
Private Organizations: While they may charge for data, they can be valuable sources for specialized insights on policy issues.
Research Methodologies
Basic data collection can be facilitated through literature reviews and leveraging existing resources effectively. For best results, utilize proper search methods to identify, access, and analyze relevant data efficiently.
Importance of Literature Review
A thorough literature review allows for understanding past attempts at solving similar problems, providing valuable context and insights for current analysis.
Analysts are encouraged to utilize library resources for high-quality, peer-reviewed research in their searches.