Theoretical background

Question 1

What is a policy?

Answer 1

• Rational attempt to attain objectives
• Public policy typically affects many people
• Good policy-making is inclusive- all potential stakeholders and interest groups
• Can be a long and winding road..

Question 2

What are aspects to take into account when making policy?

Answer 2

• Different actors demonstrate different strategic behaviours to support or undermine
• Need to consider the target population
• Equity, fairness and human rights
• Winners and losers
• Compassion and compensation

Question 3

What is technocracy?

Answer 3

• The administrative an political domination of a society by a state elite and allied institutions that seek t impose a single, exclusive policy paradigm based on the application of instrumentally rational techniques

Question 4

What are links to make between rationality and policy?

Answer 4

There is a need to bridge the gap between what we know (science) and how practitioners and citizens use what we know to make better policy (or arguments)

Rational analysis needs to be contextualized : interplay of evidence , value, and believe systems, social structures and the distribution of power.

Quantitative and qualitative evidence required

Most policy analysis is not value neutral

Question 5

What is policy vs politics?

Answer 5

The study of politics is the attempt to explain the various ways in which power is exercised in the everyday world and how that power is used to allocate resources and benefits to some people and groups, and costs and burdens to other people and groups

The study of public policy is the examination of the creation, by the government, of the rules, laws , goals, and standards that determine what government does or does not do to create resources, benefits, costs and burdens.

Question 6

Name some policy actors

Answer 6

• Legislatures
• Interest groups/ non-profit org.
• Courts
• Consultants
• Elites
• Bureaucracies
• Policy networks
• Think tanks
• Scientists
• Public administrators
• Citizens
• Media
• Businesses

Question 7

What are the steps in a policy cycle?

Answer 7

1. Identify the issue
2. Policy analysis
3. Policy instruments
4. Consultation
5. Coordination
6. Decision
7. Implementation
8. Evaluation

Question 8

What is the WTO?

Answer 8

World trade organization

Intergovernmental organization regulating international trade

provides framework for negotiating trade agreements and a dispute resolution process aimed at enforcing participants adherence to WTO agreements

Agreements are signed by representatives of member of governments and ratified by their parliaments

Question 9

What is the OECD?

Answer 9

Organization for economic cooperation development

Forum in which governments can work together to share experiences and seek solutions to common problems

Mission: to promote policies that will improve the economic and social well being of people around the world.

Question 10

What are the 5 sustainability principles?

Answer 10

1. Intergenerational equity (care for future generations)
2. Intragenerational equity (care for others here and abroad)
3. Conservation of biological diversity (care for other species and their homes)
4. The precautionary principle
5. Internalization of environmental costs (taking into account valuation and incentive mechanisms)