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Improving Public Policy the 252 summary
- Institution
- Stellenbosch University (SUN)
A well summarized overview of the work covered in the module with useful exam information and helpful pointers to keep you on track.
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PDM 252 – SEMESTER 2Theme 1: Definitions
Defining Policy:
Rules and regulations Guidelines Delimits Vision/Goal/Aim
A public sector statement of intent, including sometimes a more detailed program of action,
to give effect to selected normative and empirical goals in order to improve or resolve
perceived problems and needs in society in a specific way, thereby achieving desired
changes in that society …” (Cloete & de Coning 2011)
This definition gives us a very broad spectrum.
Policy tells us what we intend to do for our particular goals that we have selected.
Normative goals: tell us about norms we want to pursue e.g. better life for all, equality.
Empirical goals: reduce poverty by 50% by a particular time in future.
These goals are selected and they give direction to government – statement of
intent.
There is not only a statement of intent in policy, but policy includes the programme
of action (how we are going to do it).
Ranney: “declaration and implementation of intent.”
Easton: “authoritative allocation of values to society through political process.”
Hanekom: “a formally articulated goal.”
The adoption of a wide
Dye: “comprehensive framework.” definition of all these things
are correct when defining
Starling: “guide to delimit action.”
policy.
i.e. they are guidelines that tell us in the long run this is the goal and they delimit
our actions.
And they also become rules and regulations that set out specific actions for specific
individuals.
Policy is all of these process that helps us understand what government intends to
do in the long run, i.e. the goals.
, The instruments of public policy:
Substantive policy Operational policy:
Constitutional state: In order to give effect to substantive policy at an
operational level, we adopt operational policies.
1. In a constitutional state, the constitution becomes
The tell us how things are going to work.
the leading policy.
These are the applicable to members of the
It becomes the framework for everything else and basically
organisation. For example, if you work for the
sets out the goals and aims for society. This includes the
Durban municipality, you are bound by their
relationships between states, engagement of different
operational policy but you are not bound by the
members of society, bill of rights.
Knysna operational policy.
Constitution and the bill of rights are still very normative –
They derive from legislation and set out
its vague and does not tell us how we are going to get these
specifically within the municipality how
results.
operations will work such as promotions, making
2. Therefore during policy making processes, decisions. Differs between state departments.
government formulate green papers and policy white
1. Strategic plan and budget
papers – they capture the intent and aim of what
2. Programmes and project plans
government want to see in the long term. Sets out the
3. Administrative circulars
vision. Developmental approach/
4. Operational policy
3. Once we have this white paper, it still does not tell us 5. Standard operating procedures
exactly how everything (for example within local
developmental government) works. This is the purpose
of legislation.
In the instruments we can see the direction
Legislation tells us how the goals on the white paper are for the institution is captured in the strategic
going to happen. E.g. integrated development plan, plan for that organisation. The strategic plans
following objects, following deadlines, performance tells us what they want to achieve, budget,
management system and so forth. Legislation is written by projects etc. You must capture everything in
lawyers in a completely different style. It is enforce by a the strategic plan otherwise it’s not going to
court of law whereby the white paper is not. work in the operational guidelines.
4. These are all formal processes, but policy can also be These then set out the operatorial guidelines
led by statements and speeches that sometimes start
off the policy process.
5. Lastly, we have circulars. You put out a circular. They
are written down but are still not as strong as a policy
white paper or legislation because they can be easily Green paper: the starting point for the white
changed by being replaced. paper. Concept document. Starts with decision
of problem, outline alternative options, then it
proposed course of action. The green paper
must be circulated for public comment and as a
member of society, we can have a say in the
green paper. Once this participatory process is
over, it is captured as a white paper.
VS. White paper: the white paper is formally
Substantive policy: applicable to the
signed by the ministers, sector heads etc. and it
entire society regardless of whether becomes the basis of legislation.
you work for the public sector or not.
,Key conclusions on Public Policy:
Policy takes a functional perspective on governments: need to transform real
problems.
Policy is not always deliberately conceived but frequently subconsciously accepted
e.g. sometimes policies come from statements and a thought from someone. This
statement becomes the start of a policy.
- The point here is that the policy does not always go through a deliberate process,
they are born from the spur of the moment.
Policy can be unwritten, such as statements or informal policies e.g. expectations
that are not written down. We do need policies for everything, only when we need
clear direction.
“No policy” can be a response to a problem e.g. when the government said HIV was
not a problem in the country.
Emphasis on value judgments, ethics, values, society, relationships.
Require lateral approaches and multidisciplinary applications.
Development of policy:
1. Logical positivism: there must be a logical answer to the problem (neglects value).
2. Political domination: policy legitimises the decisions and actions of those in power.
3. Rational and comprehensive analysis: scientific processes for optimal policy
decisions.
4. Pragmatism: quick informed decision making.
5. Evidence informed: balances evidence with other factors (values, time, available
resources).
Nature of Public Policy:
It can never be static. It needs to be a constant process.
Policy making = dynamic process.
Have to be constantly reviewed, reformulated, replaced.
Process incorporating independent phases.
Policy Life Cycle:
If we follow this process,
we should be able to make
good policies that work
effectively.
, Policy Types vs. Policy Levels
Public, voluntary & private sector International level policies.
policies.
National level policies.
Political, executive, administrate
State/provincial level policies.
& technical policies.
Regional level policies.
Extractive, distributive, regulatory
and symbolic policies. District level policies.
4 functions of state: protection, Local/community level policies.
regulation, growth/development,
welfare.
Possible exam question:
Policy issue: increasing the take-up of COVID-19 vaccine.
Policy module: systemically explain what needs to happen in each phase to formulate a policy.
We will talk about each step as we go through the module.
Pros and cons, feasibility, how to evaluate if policy decision was good, when does it need to come up for
review.
Essay type format. Summarize what you think needs to happen at each point in the policy process by applying
it to case study.
More information at the end of lecture on 19 August as well as info on covid regulations.
Theme 2: Models for Policy Analysis
Model: A model is a representation of a more complex reality that has been oversimplified
in order to describe and explain the relationships among variables, and even sometimes to
prescribe how something should happen.
Models help us analyse who is making the choices.
Models are used for analysing the policy making processes.
Models adopting a macro-level systems perspective.
2 types of policy making processes:
1. descriptive models: describe how things are happening.
2. Prescriptive models: describe how things are ought to happen. Does not mean that is the
case in society, but they give us direction on how to make it better.
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