Policy Formulation and the Agenda Setting Differences (Essay Sample)

Policy Formulation
Name
Institution
Policy Formulation
Question 1: What is policy formulation and how does it differ from agenda setting?
Policy formulation entails the critical analysis of the available solutions and the variable solutions to a particular problem. Theoretically, the process attempts to analyze the potential impact of a given policy and lessen the possibility of an undesired consequences arising from a particular policy. According to Glynn Davis, acceptable formulation requires the policy makers to come up with acceptable solution that can be authorized by the legitimate decision makers CITATION Hal111 \l 1033 (Halász & Michel, 2011). The suggested solution must be politically feasible in order to be accepted by the decision making body. Policy analysts have to ensure that the proposed solution meets the expectations of all stakeholders.
On the other hand, agenda setting largely involves the establishing of goals and objectives of a certain policy. The process of agenda setting entails the meeting of all the stakeholders and coming up with the main goals and objectives of particular policy or coming up with an ideological plan on how to tackle a particular issue. Agenda setting determines the scope of the policy. The definition of agenda setting is often confused with agenda setting theory that is concerned with how the media influences public opinion by focusing on a particular issue. In government, action agenda setting is the recognition that a particular problem requires to be solved.
Question 2: Who determines policy formulation? Who participates in policy formulation?
The policy formulation phase involves the input of policy makers drawn from various sectors of the society. The determination and formulation of new policy is informed by the spectrum of problems that are captured in the agenda setting process. Usually, such policies are largely informed by research conducted by think tanks, specially constituted task forces, government departments, technocrats, interest groups and lobbies, or epistemic communities within the academia among other stakeholders. Usually, epistemic communities inform the policy formulation process through the adoption of research recommendations. For instance, development scholars and economists are largely involved in policy formulation as evidenced by the reliance and importance accorded to working papers from specialised research centres within universities or international organisations such as the World Bank CITATION Wol15 \l 1033 (Wolfers, 2015).
Despite the minimal role of the political class in policy formulation, congressional consent is prerequisite to the adoption, approval and subsequent execution of proposed policy. The acceptance of a policy usually happens after the Congress has enacted a law. The Executive is also involved in policy formulation in instances where the president assents laws or issued decrees. Additionally, the Judiciary’s role as player in the policy formulation process is evidence where the Supreme Court issues rulings on judicial proceedings such as in judicial review.
Question 3: Explain why problem definition is important in the policy formulation process.
A holistic understanding of the problem is key to the formulation of strong policies that influence development and advance the agendas of the ruling government. Most problems aggravate and become national or public issues. Such problems include crimes, poverty, diseases, and quality of education among others. Problems in the public sphere tend to attract political attention thus necessitating formulation and implementation of policies to mitigate the problems. A proper understanding of the policy problem facilitates formulation of a holistic solution towards ameliorating or mitigating the prevalent problem. Additionally, conducting an in depth research and appraisal of the problem facilitates a holistic understanding of the composite issues of the policy problem. This helps in reducing policy incoherencies as well as reducing the challenges that may be encountered during the implementation stage. It also has the desired effect of increasing the likelihood of achieving the intended policy outcomes as outlined in the agenda setting and policy formulation phases. As such problem definition is vital in the identification of the demographics affected by the problem, evaluation of the political willingness to tackle the problem, and in designing the time frame in which the particular problem is to be solved CITATION Pet101 \l 1033 (Peters & Pierre, 2010).
Question 4: Who are policy entrepreneurs and what is their role in problem definition?
Policy entrepreneurs are activists and personnel who use their positions and knowledge to advance certain policy goals by proposing solutions to policy problems. In the policy process, the entrepreneurs can be government employees, civil activists, or academic experts. For instance, a scholar in environmental governance may act as a policy entrepreneur through writing and giving lectures on climate change. Policy entrepreneurs agitate for change with regards to policy changes. This is achieved by identifying the conditions prerequisite for the existence of a particular policy problem, and subsequent identification of tenable responses to mitigate the identified problem CITATION Pet101 \l 1033 (Peters & Pierre, 2010). Therefore, the role of policy entrepreneurs in the process is identifying conditions that lead to a certain problem, identifying the policy problem, and influencing the discourse surrounding that policy problem.
Question 5: What are the top-down models of policy formulation and how do they differ from the bottom-up model?
The top-down models of policy formulation are a type of policy making process where the decisions from from the top to the implementors. For instance executive decrees, judicial orders, or statutes.On the other hand, bottom-up models involve using the target groups as the actual generators and implementers of the policy changes. The bottom-up models captures the views and input of the target group before subjecting the propositions of the target group to a selection that picks the best solutions.
Top-down policy formulation involves the government issuing commands to the people. This model relies on the policing power of the state for adherence of the target group to obey the commands. The system assumes that the state is knowledgeable on the causes of the problems, and that the policy changes are aligned with particular development goals. According to Matland (148), involving local bureaucrats increases viability and success rate of a policy program since the community interests are captured. This model largely relies upon street-level bureaucrats for faithful implementation. Matland opines that street level bureaucrats assist in localising the policy programs hence increasing acceptability by the local community.
Question 6: What is the technical difference between the rational comprehensive model and the incremental model of policy formulation? Explain the strengths and weaknesses of each model in the policy formulation process.
The rational models demands that policy makers must objectively identify all causes of the problem, formulate solutions, and opt for the best solution that aligns with the intended policy changes; while the incremental model assumes that policy makers should improve on existing policies rather than formulating new policies.The rational-comprehensive model ignores the application of omnibus solutions to pressing issues and public problems. It requires a proper and objective identification of the particular causes occasioning the policy problem so as to facilitate the formulation of a coherent policy.
The rational comprehensive model offers an excellent vista of identifying the issues underlying a particular problem. The subsequent recognition of the causes offer enable the formulation of empirical solutions to the problem as well as making of coherent policies. The rational model entails lengthy analysis of information making it time-consuming and ill suited for quick decisions. As such, the approach is of less utility in short-term policy changes. On the other hand the incremental model builds on existing plans making it better suited for implementing quick decisions and short time policies. The flexibility of the incremental model with regards to considering contemporary issues makes it better suited to implement both short term and long term policy changes.
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