Week 3- Policy Development Models Flashcards
Define a rational comprehensive model
Gives rise to policy cycle models and linear multi-step models of decision making and problem solving
Define a network participatory model
Focuses on actors and institutions, not processes, emphasis on participatory democracy and horizontal networks of influence
Describe policy cycle and stagist models
- Form rational comprehensive stream, set out key phases in developing policy processes
- Both descriptive and prescriptive
Define descriptive
Provides heuristic for breaking down chaos of policy development into manageable steps to study
Define prescriptive
Justified on grounds govt should aim for more orderly, predictable policy making to produce better results
Outline the 8 step policy model- Althus, Bridgman and David Cycle Model
- Identifying issues- recognition of problem needing attention, joins govt’s agenda
- Policy analysis- assembling of info to frame issue and understand problem
- Policy instruments- determining appropriate tools and approaches to design a policy response
- Consultation- structured process to seek and respond to views about a policy issue from relevant interest groups, individuals or general community
- Coordination- ensuring policy, politics and admin work together
- Decision- confirmation of policy by govt, usually via a formal resolution of cabinet
- Implement- giving expression to the decision through legislation or a program
- Evaluation- a process to systematically examine the effects of a policy program
Outline the 6 step Australian cycle (version of Howlett and Ramesh)
- Agenda setting
- Policy formulation
- Decision making
- Implementation
- Evaluation
Outline the 8 step Bardach cycle
- Define problem
- Assemble evidence
- Construct alternatives
- Select criteria
- Project outcomes
- Confront outcomes
- Decide
- Tell your story
Outline criticisms for cycle based policy models
- Cycle based, step wise policy models often scorned for being overly rational, orderly, linear and therefore unrealistic
- Critics argue models should begin with policy world as it is, not as it should be (reality based)
- Purveyors of the cycle models are nobody can make much progress when they begin with conceptual pandemonium
- Authors of cycle models acknowledge limitations and discourage readers from turning these flexible learning aids into strict algorithms for practical application
Outline how Bardach views the policy cycle
- Treats problem solving as trial and error, requiring iteration and repetition
- Describes policy analysis as a social and political activity, often done in teams with other professionals and interested parties
- Present multiple policy options
- Self justifying policy analysis is avoided by setting specific criteria relating to values and intended impacts- selection of criteria and construction of multiple options
Outline what is involved in projecting outcomes
- Most difficult to complete
- Prompts analysts to think about how different policy options are likely to achieve specific results
- Reminds them they are designing for the future, not the present
Outline what is involved in deciding and telling your story
Invites policy professionals to put themselves in the shoes of their clients, calling for effective policy communication
Outline the differences between the Australian Policy Cycle and Bardach’s
- Australian model in original form developed as departmental policy handbook to regularise policy processes
- Bardach’s model designed to develop generic problem solving skills relevant to all settings (not just govt)
- Australian model institutionally based (highly partisan, time-pressured, quasi-Westminster context of public sector policy making)
- Bardach presumes plurality of contexts, multiple sites for multiple clients, many not in public centre. Focuses on fundamental features that all policy analysis tasks have
- Both include variations of basic steps of applied problem solving
What is the focus of network participatory approaches?
- Focus on the actors in a policy system
- Policy networks facilitate more and less formal interactions among policy analysts, decision makers, citizens and other stakeholder groups, and provide a means of forging consensus on policy settings
Outline the roles of various stakeholders in the Howlett and Ramesh approach
- Interest network of actors intimately involved in policy process and resulting policies and programs
- Discourse communities are more loosely involved, but still maintain an interest in policy outputs and outcomes, usually more motivated by subject interest