Management Research Paper Meaning Of Public Policy (Research Paper Sample)

POLICY MAKING CYCLE
INTRODUCTION
Until the 1930s, government paperwork (forms, reports, information requests) was not perceived as a public problem. Up to that time the national government has only limited direct contact with citizens. From 1930s, there was great expansion of governmental programs, especially World War II, government programs dramatically increased and citizens and public organizations became interested in information because of burden imposed by government actions. Paperwork and government activities became perceived as a public problem and thus, the interest in public policy. In this unit, we would examine the concept of public policy and its processes. Let us first all examine its meaning.
MEANING OF PUBLIC POLICY
Public policy has been variably defined. In majority of cases, differences in definitions are semantic than substantive. The Longman’s Dictionary of Contemporary English defines policy as “a plan or course of action in directing affairs, as chosen by a political party, government, Business Company, etc”. Sharkansky (1975:4) defines it as “important activities of government”. Simons (1974) define it as “an indication of an intention, a guide to action encompassing vales which set priorities and relations between government societies”.
Freeman and Sherwoods (1968) define it as “the public response to the interest in improving the human conditions”. Mackinney and define it as “what happen to people as a consequence of what the government does”. The convergence point of these definitions is that public policy is “what” and “how” of government activities. It is purposeful statements, written or oral, aimed at solving a particular problem or problems. Public policy is the guide or framework, government has designed to direction and practices in certain problem areas.
POLICY MAKING PROCESS
Policy making is the process by which the government or enterprise develops or formulates and implements an effective strategy to meet desired objectives. Strategy in this context is the unified comprehensive plan that is developed to reach these objectives.
However, Anderson, Brady and Bullock, (1978: 8) have suggested a model for public policy process, which made of six stages:
POLICY FORMATION STAGE
STAGE 1: PROBLEM IDENTIFICATION
This involves a situation where human needs, deprivation or dissatisfaction appear that must be addressed. If enough people believe the nature of the problem is such that government should respond, it than becomes a public rather than a private problem. Public problems involve large numbers of people and have broad-ranging effects including consequences for people not directly involved such as national minimum wage. Thus problem identification entails the demand for action to resolve a problem.
STAGE 2: POLICY AGENDA
These are problems among many, which receive the government serious attention. Not all problems get policy agenda stage. Those that do reach there, get there by a variety of routes.
APPROACHES TO AGENDA SETTING
There are three approaches to agenda setting in a democratic society (Stones, 1977: 37-8)
1. LET IT HAPPEN APPROACH
Here government takes a relatively passive role but maintains channels of access and communication so that those affected can be heard. This approach has its problems as the success depends on many of the principles of group theory, which states that people will define its own interests, organize and seek access, involve others in support of their cause; influence decision-making, monitor implementation and so on.
2. ENCOURAGE IT TO HAPPEN APPROACH
Here, government reaches out to people in defining and articulating their problems. The emphasis here is that government equips people to participate not identifying and defining problems for them.
3. MAKE IT HAPPEN APPROACH
In this approach, government plays an active part in defining problem and setting goals. In other words, government defines problems, set priorities and establishes goals with the two other approaches as well. However, one drawback with this system is that it places enormous burden on government. Out of these three approaches, “make it happen” approach is predominant in example, government decision-makers try to make it happen” in foreign issues. They try to define the problems set the priorities than domestic issues some critics also feel that deference establishments are influenced by certain basic industries, hence decision-makers “let it happen” that is allow such industries to define the problems and set the priorities.
In spite of these classifications, agenda setting approaches are not mutually exclusive. The breakdown of agenda setting into three approaches is to assist analysts understand government action on individual public problems and facilitate comparisons between issues. Whether a problem gets on the public policy agenda or not depends on the power, stature and number of people in the interest group political leadership influence agenda setting. The office of the president in Kenya plays a great role in this regard. Beside these, approaches,
crisis, events, such as wars and depressions as well as protests and demonstrations put problems on the policy agenda.
POLICY FORMULATION STAGE
This involves the development of pertinent and acceptable proposed courses of action for dealing with public problems. Policy formulation in Kenya is often done by the president and his immediate advisers, other members of the executive branch, career and appointed administrative officials, specially appointed committees and commissions and legislators, who introduce bills for consideration by the national assembly.
TYPES OF FORMULATION
Many types of formulation can be identified depending on the criteria for classification. However, the most interesting and useful basis for identifies the nature of decision-making. Three types can be identified (Jones, 1977; 56).
Routine formulation: A repetitive and essentially changeless process of reformulating similar proposals within an issue area that has a well- established place on the agenda of government.
Analogous formulation: Treating a new problem by relying on what was done in developing proposals for similar problems in the past i.e. searching for analogies.
Creative formulation:. Treating any problem with an essentially unprecedented proposal one, which represents a break with past practice. However, it is sometimes to see creative formulation government as many proposals are normally modified along the way towards past practices during the implementation stage.
Policy formulation process includes the following:
(i) The identification of the policy issues/problems
(ii) Specification of objectives/targets
(iii) Development of options/strategies
(iv) Selection of preferred option/strategies
(v) Policy decision-making
(vi) Design of implementation strategy; and
(vii) Policy review and reformulation
The conception of the problems could be identification of the policy issues/problems against the background of the peoples’ needs and societal problems. Problems have to be perceived, interpreted and defined. The distribution of social problems can be identified by the use of sample survey technique for data and data processing capacity of computers.
The process of policy formulation requires wide consultation prior to the initiation of policy and involvement of stakeholders, particularly labour unions, the organized private sector, the civil society and lower ties of government, legislative and executive arms of government and so on.
POLICY ADOPTION STAGE
Legitimating of public policy is the fourth stage. This process means having a particular proposal authorized. Formulators do not think only of problems and how to solve them, but whether the course of action is feasible getting it authorized. Decision or choices of policy requires some authoritative ratification as an aspect of the principle of public accountability. While decision may be effectively reached at one level, they will often be authorized and confirmed at another. Therefore, some strategic considerations are directed toward the legitimization of process – building support for a proposed course of action, maintaining support held previously, deciding where compromises can be made; calculating when and where to make the strongest play and controlling information flow to advantages.
This is often done by the notion of majority lobby building in legislature. In other words, a course of action is legitimate when a majority in both houses of the legislature (National Assembly) approves and the chief Executive affixes his signature to the measure. So, given the necessity for building majority in a given course of action, formulators of policies must consider all factors involved in its legitimating process. However, the most formal adoption strategy is one of proposal, legislative approval and Presidential (Executive) signature. Although, there are other adoption strategies that exist in government (Anderson et. al, 1978:9-10).
3.2.4 POLICY IMPLEMENTATION
Policy implementation is the process of assembling resources (including people), allocating resources and utilizing resources (operations), in order to achieve policy objectives. The administrative agencies are the primary implementers of public policy, but the judiciary and legislature are also involved. The legislature may over-rule the decision of the executive by two-third majority, while the Courts interpret statutes and administrative rules and regulations. Agencies also make “administrative laws” through delegated legislative...