Chapter 17:  Social Welfare Policy

Theories of Public Policy

Elite theory

            Bureaucratic theory

            Pluralistic theory

            Ideology

Stages of Policy making

            Problem recognition/Definition

            Agenda Setting

            Policy Formation

            Policy Adoption

            Budgeting

            Policy Implementation

            Policy Evaluation

Recognition/Definition

            What is the Problem?

                        Solvable?  By government

            Example:  Access to transportation, weather

            When is government the problem….

                        Handguns, abortion, healthcare

Agenda Setting

            Systemic Agenda

                        Things we care about, that can’t be operationalized

            Governmental Agenda

                        Institionalizing something;  i.e. dealing with it.

            Who sets the Agenda?

                        Presidents

                        Interest groups/congress

                        Events

                        Elections

Policy Formation

            Public policy concerns

                        Will it work?

            Political concerns

                        Will it pass?

            Routine – ongoing formulation (Relations with South Korea)

            Analogous formation – what else is like it (deterrence and N. Korea)

            Creative formation – something new (missile defense)

Policy Adoption

            Legislative adoption

                        Often incremental, usually require supermajorities

            Regulatory adoption

                        Done by the bureaucracy, respond to interest groups

            Presidential decrees

                        Foreign affairs, executive orders

            Courts (supreme court, state courts)

                        Increasingly common ….

            As a general rule, adoption other then the legislative process rarely lasts…

Budgeting

            Usually, part of the adoption process

            Independent budget, or self-budgeting

Policy Implementation

            The implementing agency or bureaucracy

            Authoritative techniques

                        Command and Control (airbags, seat belts, title IX)

            Incentive Techniques

                        Positive and negative incentives (Fannie May, Freddie Mac)

            Capacity Techniques

                        Creating things (parks)

            Hortatory techniques

                        Convincing people  (chanida and the toothbrush)

Policy Evaluation

            Who evaluates

            The policy goals

            The creation of new vested interests….

            The problems of measurement

            The problem of “insolvable” problems

Example One:

            The Department of Homeland Security

Example Two:

            Welfare Reform

Example Three:

            Health Care (1994, 2003, today)