Week 2 - What Explains Policy Choices Theories of Policy Making I (Interests)

Question 1

What is the rationale to shift FROM NATIONAL VALUES TO SOCIAL POLICY PREFERENCE?

Answer 1

National values system is old and rigid. Such values as culture, presupposed norms are too dogmatic and do not always reflect the mass opinion of different segments of one country. In addition the data gathering within system was not clear and vauge.
On the other hand, the comparative social policy preference system is based on opinion polls, systematized survey methods can be used within a specific timeframe and within specific public segment and for specific policy in focus. It is an updated and more data-driven system.

Question 2

Define comparative public policy?

Answer 2

looking at policy choices
made by one country and comparing them with
policy choices made by other countries

Question 3

What 3 common questions do comparative PP often asks?

Answer 3

Why do policies vary in different countries?
What factors explain policy choices?
How do we compare policies across countries?

Question 4

Provide an example of Policy-by Policy basis of CPP

Answer 4

Differences between education policies in

Kazakhstan and France

Question 5

Provide an example of Country-by-Country basis of CPP

Answer 5

Differences between ‘policy-making styles’ (across

policies) between Kazakhstan and France

Question 6

Define policy style

Answer 6

Policy style = policy framework that emerges over time
as policy succession takes place/

According to Richardson (1982) “Policy-style” defines policies.

Question 7

Define main components of policy style

Answer 7

Policy paradigm (common set of policy ideas)
Policy mix (long-term arrangement of policies)
Policy-making process
Set of policy actors

Question 8

Policy style interaction: What is the Government’s approach to problem-solving?

Answer 8

• Anticipatory vs Reactive

Question 9

Policy style interaction: What is the relationship between government and society?

Answer 9

– Consensus vs Imposition

Question 10

What is the policy style interaction of Germany?

Answer 10

anticipatory and consensus-based

Question 11

What is the policy style interaction of France?

Answer 11

anticipatory and dominant

Question 12

What is the policy style interaction of the Netherlands?

Answer 12

reactive and dominant

Question 13

Fill in the gaps.
Further debates and criticisms:
Few governments are consistently ...
National bureaucratic administrative traditions ...
Institutional changes: due to ...
Social composition of ...
Secularism/... in a society
... (EU)

Answer 13

Few governments are consistently active/reactive,
dominant/consensus-looking

National bureaucratic administrative traditions
matter

Institutional changes: due to wars and colonization

Social composition of political/administrative corps

Secularism/religion in a society

Foreign aid (EU)

Question 14

Explain the key argument of Freeman?

Answer 14

differences among political systems not as
big as across policy areas.

Countries with different political systems may have
similar health policy.
Countries with similar political systems may have
different health policies.

Question 15

1. What explains policy choices?

Answer 15

Political environment (interests).
Elected officials and parties’ priorities shape the policymaking agenda.

Question 16

Describe characteristics of Electoral cycle?

Answer 16

Before elections: politicians may not express on
controversial issues.
After elections: politicians may act quickly on priorities
they campaigned on.

Question 17

2. What explains policy choices?

Describe why Economic environment is important and provide 2 real-life examples.

Answer 17

Economy is a major driver – when the economy is not
doing well, the top priority is to “fix” it.

FD Roosevelt – ‘New Deal’ as reaction to Great
Depression.
Obama – Economic stimulus package as a reaction to
2008-2009 recession.

Question 18

3. What explains policy choices?

Describe Social Environment

Answer 18

Norms of society – what is culturally acceptable in a

given society.

Question 19

What explains policy choices? Provide 3 major points

Answer 19

1. Political environment (interests)
2. Economic environment
3. Social Environment

Question 20

The 3 ‘I’ framework.

What are these three Is?

Answer 20

• Interests
• Institutions
• Ideas

Question 21

The 3 ‘I’ framework.

Describe Interests / Actors

Answer 21

Multitude of actors involved in policy-making:
Individuals
Organizations
Private companies
Interest groups
Governments agencies
Political parties

Question 22

The 3 ‘I’ framework.

Describe Institutions

Answer 22

‘Rules of the game’ - Rules, norms and practices that influence policymaking process in a country.

• May be formal and informal.
• Lack of formal rules does not mean lack of an institutionalized self-regulating system.

Question 23

The 3 ‘I’ framework.

Describe Ideas

Answer 23

Ways of thinking that play a role in the policy process:
Ideas and beliefs
Societal paradigms
Geography
Demographic profile
Social attitudes

Question 24

CPP: What to look for?

Provide 5 major points

Answer 24

Political processes: Analysis of political processes should identify realities and institutional relationships in a country

1. Consensus (Is there basic agreement on the most fundamental rules of political life? Is the political contest played by those rules? Is there agreement on what the rules for achieving power are?)
2. Rule of law (Are there basic legal structures for public and private activities and interactions? Are basic human rights observed? Is the rule of law applied equitably? Is personal security guaranteed by the state? Does the judiciary have integrity and is it independent?)
3. Competition (Is there competition in the system? Is there competition through elections, in the media,
   and in the marketplace of ideas? Can people legally organize to pursue their interests and ideas? Is there competition within government, including checks and balances between branches of government?)
4. Inclusion (Are there problems of inclusion and exclusion? Are any elements of the population excluded (formally
   or informally) from real political, social, or economic participation because of religion, ethnicity, gender, geography, or income status?)
5. Good governance (Is here adequate governance by the state and by public and private sector institutions? Are these institutions accountable, transparent, and efficient? Do political institutions work well? Do they deliver what they promise?)

Question 25

CPP: What to look for?

Why we should focus on political processes?

Answer 25

Analysis of political processes should identify realities and institutional relationships in a country