Summary
Summary the locus and focus of public management
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- North-West University (NWU)
This document is a summary of all of the chapters involved in padm 121. It provides explanations, definitions, and examples.
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PADM 121 notes:Study un it 1:
Sum m ar y: Policy Man agem ent for Eff ective an d Effi cient Public
Adm in istr ation
1. In tr oduction to Public Policy
Public policy is described as a government response to public problems. It is a course
of action or inaction aimed at addressing socio-economic challenges such as poverty,
inequality, and unemployment. In South Africa, many citizens still lack basic needs,
making public policies crucial for addressing these issues.
Exam ples:
Micr o policy: Limited to a specific region like the City of Tshwane.
Macr o policy: Affects the entire country.
2. W h y Public Policies Ar e Im por tan t
Public policies help answer the critical question: What is the government going to
do about societal problems? By doing so, they aim to address challenges like poverty
and unemployment that affect the population.
3. In tr oduction to Policy Man agem en t
Policy management focuses on the process of creating, implementing, and
maintaining policies in public environments, including NGOs, civil society, and the
private sector. Knowledge of public policy allows individuals to:
Understand how governments develop and engage in policy processes.
Influence policy to improve its effectiveness.
Com pon ents of Policy Man agem en t:
Institutional and governance arrangements.
Process of creating, implementing, and maintaining policies.
4. Policy an d Its Or igin s
Historically, policy-making was viewed as a logical cycle with steps such as
developing a plan, allocating resources, implementing actions, and monitoring
outcomes. However, policy-making is often non-linear and subject to unintended
consequences, such as with the Reconstruction and Development Programme (RDP)
housing initiative.
5. Ch allen ges in Policy Man agem en t for Developin g Coun tr ies
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,Developing countries face significant policy-making challenges due to:
Urgency of developmental outcomes.
High expectations from citizens.
Pressure to meet economic goals and targets.
Respon ses in clude:
Adopting policies from developed countries.
Designing unique policies tailored to their specific needs.
6. Decision -Makin g Models in Policy For m ulation
Several decision-making models are used in policy formulation:
Ration al Model: Identifies alternatives and compares costs.
In cr em ental Model: Makes small, gradual changes to existing policies.
Mixed Scan n in g Model: Combines the rational and incremental
approaches.
Gar bage Can Model: Delays decision-making until circumstances force
action.
Decision Accr etion Model: Acknowledges that decision-making is gradual
and occurs over time.
7. Policy Man agem en t for Effi cien t Public Adm in istr ation
Policy management consists of two components:
Policy For m ulation : Developing and synthesizing solutions for public
problems.
Policy Im plem entation : Selecting a course of action and ensuring it is
followed through within a specific timeframe.
8. Str en gthen in g Public Policy Man agem en t
Four critical aspects are necessary for improving public policy management:
Un der stan din g the Con text: Recognizing the history and challenges of the
beneficiary group.
Role of Stakeholder s : Beneficiaries should monitor policy implementation.
Ow n er ship of Im plem entation : Beneficiaries should actively participate
in the implementation process.
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, Flexible Im plem en tation : Policies may need adjustments to suit varying
situations.
9. The Policy-Makin g Pr ocess an d Role Player s
Policy Cycle Model: A step-by-step guide through policy development, from
problem identification to evaluation.
Policy System s Model: Focuses on the logical flow of processes including
input, conversion, output, and feedback.
K ey Role Player s :
Stakeholder s: Those with direct or indirect influence, such as NGOs,
politicians, and interest groups.
Role Player s : Direct participants in policy formulation, implementation, and
evaluation, such as policy formulators, implementers, and evaluators.
Defi n ition s an d Exam ples
1. Policy: A predetermined course of action or set of regulations aimed at
addressing public issues.
o Example: A housing policy to provide affordable homes to low-income
citizens.
2. Public Policy: Government action or inaction taken in response to public
problems.
o Example: South Africa’s social grants policy to reduce poverty.
3. Policy For m ulation : The process of developing and synthesizing alternative
solutions to public policy problems.
o Example: Creating a policy to combat gender-based violence (GBV).
4. Policy Im plem entation : The phase where a policy is put into action within
a specific timeframe.
o Example: Implementing the GBV response plan with allocated
resources and identified actors like police and community leaders.
5. Ration al Model: A decision-making approach that identifies alternatives
and weighs their costs and benefits.
o Example: Comparing potential land units for a new housing project
based on cost-effectiveness.
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