Week 2 - What Explains Policy Choices Theories of Policy Making I (Interests) Flashcards
What is the rationale to shift FROM NATIONAL VALUES TO SOCIAL POLICY PREFERENCE?
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.
Define comparative public policy?
looking at policy choices
made by one country and comparing them with
policy choices made by other countries
What 3 common questions do comparative PP often asks?
Why do policies vary in different countries?
What factors explain policy choices?
How do we compare policies across countries?
Provide an example of Policy-by Policy basis of CPP
Differences between education policies in
Kazakhstan and France
Provide an example of Country-by-Country basis of CPP
Differences between ‘policy-making styles’ (across
policies) between Kazakhstan and France
Define policy style
Policy style = policy framework that emerges over time
as policy succession takes place/
According to Richardson (1982) “Policy-style” defines policies.
Define main components of policy style
Policy paradigm (common set of policy ideas)
Policy mix (long-term arrangement of policies)
Policy-making process
Set of policy actors
Policy style interaction: What is the Government’s approach to problem-solving?
- Anticipatory vs Reactive
Policy style interaction: What is the relationship between government and society?
– Consensus vs Imposition
What is the policy style interaction of Germany?
anticipatory and consensus-based
What is the policy style interaction of France?
anticipatory and dominant
What is the policy style interaction of the Netherlands?
reactive and dominant
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)
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)
Explain the key argument of Freeman?
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.
- What explains policy choices?
Political environment (interests). Elected officials and parties’ priorities shape the policymaking agenda.
Describe characteristics of Electoral cycle?
Before elections: politicians may not express on
controversial issues.
After elections: politicians may act quickly on priorities
they campaigned on.
- What explains policy choices?
Describe why Economic environment is important and provide 2 real-life examples.
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.
- What explains policy choices?
Describe Social Environment
Norms of society – what is culturally acceptable in a
given society.
What explains policy choices? Provide 3 major points
- Political environment (interests)
- Economic environment
- Social Environment
The 3 ‘I’ framework.
What are these three Is?
- Interests
- Institutions
- Ideas
The 3 ‘I’ framework.
Describe Interests / Actors
Multitude of actors involved in policy-making: Individuals Organizations Private companies Interest groups Governments agencies Political parties
The 3 ‘I’ framework.
Describe Institutions
‘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.
The 3 ‘I’ framework.
Describe Ideas
Ways of thinking that play a role in the policy process: Ideas and beliefs Societal paradigms Geography Demographic profile Social attitudes
CPP: What to look for?
Provide 5 major points
Political processes: Analysis of political processes should identify realities and institutional relationships in a country
- 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?)
- 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?)
- 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?) - 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?) - 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?)
CPP: What to look for?
Why we should focus on political processes?
Analysis of political processes should identify realities and institutional relationships in a country
