P11.1022: Introduction to Public Policy
NYU Wagner School, Fall 2011
Course Meetings: Monday, 6:45-8:55 PM
Meyer Building 121 (1st Floor Auditorium)
Teaching Team
Prof. Rogan Kersh
rogan.kersh@nyu.edu
Puck Building, 3rd Floor (office hrs. Tues., 4-5:30 & by appt.)
212.998.7466
TCs: Tara Dowdell, Rebecca Halleran, Barbara Kiviat, Christine Riordan
The critical issues addressed in public policymaking involve political and moral choices,
along with analytic and administrative aspects. Introduction to Public Policy has long
been a signature course of Wagner’s MPA program in part because this is where those
choices—and the core values of public service and good governance informing them—
are confronted most directly.
Our attention to the values and choices central in policymaking will proceed in three
stages. The initial weeks comprise an overview of public policy in a constitutional
democratic capitalist system—primarily as practiced in the contemporary U.S., but with
reference to other places and times. The second segment takes up the making of public
policy, addressing how complex systems of governance actually function.—along with
explicit detail to the practice of policy analysis and evaluation. Third, we will address
these themes and processes in broader contexts, including ethical and behavioral; along
the way we’ll trace some of the principal tensions in democratic public policymaking.
Course Requirements: Attendance at all classes, given our limited time together, is
essential: if you must be absent, let your TC know in advance. Grading is as follows: 2
short policy memos (30%); midterm exam (30%) and a final exam (40%). We’re a large
group, but we’ll hold regular class-wide conversations; please arrive in class prepared to
discuss readings and (especially) case studies. Optional outside-class discussions will
also be available, as will on-line opportunities to exchange your ideas and opinions.
Course Readings: One book is required: Deborah Stone’s Policy Paradox (Norton, 2002
ed.). Eugene Bardach’s Practical Guide for Policy Analysis (CQ Press, 2009 ed.) is an
optional book, not required but useful as background; both are available at the NYU
Bookstore. All other readings will be posted on Blackboard.
Late Assignment Policy: Extensions will be granted only in case of emergency, out of
respect to those who abide by deadlines despite equally hectic schedules. Late
submissions without extensions will be penalized ½ letter grade per day (B+ to B, e.g.)
Students with disabilities: Any students requiring accommodations should contact me to
make proper arrangements. Please be prepared to share your documentation from the
NYU disabilities office regarding appropriate accommodations.
Sept. 12
“Public Policy” Introduced
Readings
(Please complete this 1st assignment before arriving in class on the 12th).
Smith & Larimer, “Public Policy as a Concept & Field of Study” (2009).
*D. Stone, Policy Paradox (2002), Intro., ch. 1, Conc. (pp. 1-34, 376-83).
G. Packer, “Coming Apart” (2011).
Suggested Additional Readings
∙ E. Bardach, Practical Guide to Policy Analysis (2009), Appendix B.
∙ P. Berman, “From September 11 to the Arab Spring: Do Ideas Matter?” (New Republic,
Sept. 15, 2011).
I. Overview/Themes
Sept. 19
Democracy, Public Opinion, & Policymaking: Who Should Govern?
Readings:
*D. Stone, Policy Paradox, chs. 2 (“Equity”), 14 (“Rights”).
R. Putnam, “What Makes Democracy Work?” (1994).
M. Akins, “Disappearing Ink: Afghanistan’s Sham Democracy” (2011).
R. Hardin, “Ignorant Democracy” (2006).
D. Yankelovich, “The Seven Stages of Public Opinion” (2011).
Suggested Additional Readings
∙ A. Michels, “Innovations in Democratic Governance: How Does Citizen Participation
Contribute to a Better Democracy?” Int’l Review of Administrative Sciences 77 (2011).
∙ B. Weingast, “The Failure to Transplant Democracy, Markets, & the Rule of Law into
the Developing World.” Annual Proceedings/Wealth & Well-Being of Nations (2011).
∙ P. Burstein, “The Impact of Public Opinion on Public Policy,” Political Research
Quarterly (2003).
Sept. 26
Three Sectors Influencing Policy: Private, Government, Nonprofit
Readings:
*D. Stone, Policy Paradox, ch. 3 (“Efficiency”).
E. Savas, “Privatization & the New Public Management” (2001).
J. Kurlantzick, “The Malawi Model” (2009).
J. Casey, “New Era of Collaborative Gov’t-Nonprofit Relations?” (2011).
B. Weisbrod, “The Pitfalls of Profits” (2004).
Suggested Additional Readings
∙ A. Stark, “The Distinction Between Public, Nonprofit, and For-Profit” (Journal of
Public Administration Research &Theory 21: 2011).
∙ Moulton/Wise, “The Shifting Boundaries Between the Public & Private Sectors”
(Public Administration Review, 2010).
*Assignment 1 (Policy Memo I) due by 6 PM, Monday, October 3.
II. Frames, Agendas, & Analysis
Oct. 3
Framing/Agenda-Setting
Readings:
D. Stone, Part III intro. (pp. 131-35), chs. 6 (“Symbols”), 8 (“Causes”).
J. Kingdon, Agendas, Alternatives, and Public Policies (2011), Epilogue.
S. Wang, “Changing Models of China’s Policy Agenda-Setting” (2008).
Klein & Dietz, “Obesity: The New Tobacco” [on framing] (2010).
T. Vocino, “Confederate Flag Controversy” [Case Study]
Suggested Additional Readings
∙ J.W. Kingdon, Agendas, Alternatives, and Public Policies (rest of book; 2nd ed. is 2011).
∙ Chong & Druckman, “Framing Theory” (Annual Review of Political Science 10: 2007).
Oct. 10
NO CLASS SCHEDULED: Columbus Day
Oct. 17
Policy Formation & Analysis
Readings:
B.G. Peters, “Policy Analysis” (2010).
*D. Stone, Policy Paradox, ch. 10 (“Decisions”).
Glied & Tilpman, “Simulation Modeling of Health Care Policy” (2010).
Guess & Farnam, “Debate/Air Quality Standards” (2011) [Case Study]
Suggested Additional Readings
∙ E. Bardach, Practical Guide to Policy Analysis (2009), ch. 1, Appendix A.
∙ K. Munger, Analyzing Policy (2000), ch. 11 [on policy analysis/cost-benefit].
III. Institutions of Policymaking
Oct. 24
Legislatures & Policy Adoption
Readings:
*D. Stone, Policy Paradox, Part IV intro. (pp. 261-64), ch. 12 (“Rules”).
G. Wilson, “Congress in Comparative Perspective” (2010).
G. Packer, “The Empty Chamber” (2010).
Suggested Additional Readings
∙ K. Canfield-Davis et. al., “Factors of Influence on Legislative Decision Making”
(Journal of Legal, Ethical, and Regulatory Issues 13: 2010).
∙ E. Drew, “What Were They Thinking?” (New York Review of Books, Aug. 18, 2011).
Midterm Exam: Week of Oct. 24 [12-hour take-home; dates TBD in class]
III. Institutions of Policymaking, continued
Oct. 31
Executives, Bureaucrats, & Policy Decisions
Readings:
D. Bromwich, “Obama: His Words and His Deeds” (2011).
Mouritzen & Svara, “Institutions, Leadership, & Influence” (2006).
M. Lipsky, “Dilemmas of the Individual in Public Services” (2010).
C. Smith, “The Gamer” (2011).
Suggested Additional Readings
∙ B. Canes-Wrone, Who Leads Whom? Presidents, Policy, & the Public (2006).
· C. Goodsell, The Case For Bureaucracy (2003).
∙ D. Westen, “What Happened to Obama?” (New York Times, Aug. 6, 2011)
Nov. 7
Courts, Media & New Policy Frontiers.
Readings:
J. Dunn, “The Perils of Judicial Policymaking” (2008).
K. Whittington, “Situating Judicial Review” (2008).
S. Coll, “The Internet: For Better or for Worse” (2011).
D. Karpf, “Online Mobilization…Beyond Clicktivism” (2010).
Suggested Additional Readings
∙ Alonso & Dunn, “Dialogue: Missouri v. Jenkins” (Perspectives on Politics 9: 2011).
∙ P. Waldman, “Whose Media Bias?” (American Prospect, Oct. 2010).
∙ R. Cohen-Almagor, “Fighting Hate & Bigotry on Internet” (Policy & Internet 3: 2011).
Nov. 14
Interest Groups & Policy Advocacy
Readings:
*D. Stone, Policy Paradox, ch. 9 (“Interests”).
R. Kersh, “Corporate Lobbyists As Political Actors” (2003).
E. Albright, “Policy Change & Learning…ACF Approach” (2011).
F. Nelson et. al., “Learn to Love Lobbying” (2007).
Suggested Additional Readings
∙ C. Weible et. al., “A Quarter Century of the Advocacy Coalition Framework” (Policy
Studies Journal 39: 2011).
∙ Z. Carter, “The Spoilsmen” (Lobbyists/patent reform: Huffington Post, Aug. 4, 2011).
∙ Bertrand, Bombardini, & Trebbi, “Is It Whom You Know or What You Know? An
Empirical Assessment of the Lobbying Process” (NBER Working Paper, 2011).
*Assignment 2 (Policy Memo II) due by 6 PM, Monday, Nov. 22.
IV. After Passage: Implementation, Evaluation, & Feedback
Nov. 21
Policy Implementation
Readings:
GAO, “World Trade Center Health Program: Implementation” (2011).
B. Obama, “Toward a 21st-Century Regulatory System” (2011).
B. Walsh, “Is Obama Bad for the Environment?” (2011).
R. Kersh, “The Politics of Health Reform Implementation” (2011).
N. Schmidle, “Getting Bin Laden” (2011).
Suggested Additional Readings
∙ Kerwin & Furlong, Rulemaking: How Government Agencies Write Law & Make Policy
(2011).
∙ May & Winter, “Politicians, Managers, and Street-Level Bureaucrats: Influences on
Policy Implementation” (Journal of Pub. Administration Research/Theory 19: 2009).
Nov. 23
Optional Session: Budgeting Simulation
No readings: policy simulation of US budget process for those interested!
Nov. 28
Do Policies Work? Policy Evaluation and Feedback
Readings:
Bowens et. al., “The Politics of Policy Evaluation” (2008).
A. Oxman et. al., “Framework for Mandatory Impact Evaluation” (2010).
B. Elbel & R. Kersh, “Fast-Food Choice/Calorie Labelling” (2011).
Jiménez & Lopez-Sanders, “Effects of Public Policy/Immigration” (2011).
Suggested Additional Readings
∙ M. Mark et. al., “Evaluation Policy,” in New Directions for Evaluation (2009).
∙ S. Mettler, “Policy Feedback Effects of the G.I. Bill for World War II Veterans”
(American Political Science Review 96: 2002)
∙ D. Ravitch, “School ‘Reform’: A Failing Grade” (NY Review of Books, Sept. 29, 2011).
V. Themes in Democratic Policymaking
Dec. 5
Ethics of Public Policy
Readings:
H. Shue, “Ethical Dimensions of Public Policy” (2008).
R. O’Leary, “Guerrilla Employees” (2010).
A. Day, “Donald Rumsfeld-Prisoner Abuse/Abu Ghraib” [Case Study]
T. Yin, “‘Anything But Bush? Obama Admin. & Guantanamo” (2011).
Suggested Additional Readings
· H. Young, “Social Norms & Public Policy” (Brookings Papers, 2007).
· W. Galston, “The Obligation to Play Political Hardball,” Values &Public Policy (1991).
· M. Walzer, “The Problem of Dirty Hands” (Philosophy & Public Affairs 2: 1973).
V. Themes in Democratic Policymaking, continued
Dec. 12
Behavior, Emotion and Policymaking
Readings:
*D. Stone, Policy Paradox, ch. 11 (“Inducements”).
B. Wallace-Wells, “Cass Sunstein Wants to Nudge Us” (2010).
IFC, “Commitment Savings Accounts in Malawi” (2011).
R. Ratnesar, “The Menace Within” (2011).
Suggested Additional Readings
∙ R. Thaler & C. Sunstein, Nudge (2008).
∙ P. Egan & M. Mullins, “Political Experience/Personal Attitudes” (2010).
· I. Ayers, Carrots & Sticks: Unlock the Power of Incentives to Get Things Done (2010).
Dec. 14
Reforming Public Policy
Readings:
*D. Stone, “Policy Paradox in Action” (Policy Paradox, pp. 384-414).
E. Anderson, “Affirmative Action is About Helping All of Us” (2011).
R. Moses, “Are Cities Dead?” (1962).
R. Stewart & G. Knaus, intro. to Can Intervention Work? (2011).
P. Light, A Government Ill-Executed (2008), excerpt.
Suggested Additional Readings
· C. Stone et. al., “The Flight of the Bumblebee: Why Reform is Difficult But Not
Impossible” (Perspectives on Politics 4: 2006).
· Morales-Gómez & Torres, “What Type of Social Policy Reform For What Type of
Society?” Ch. 7 in Transnational Social Policies (2000).
· World Bank, Tools for Institutional, Political, & Social Analysis of Policy Reform: A
Development Practitioner’s Guide (2007).
TBA
Final Exam Review
Dec. 19
Final Exam [24-hour take-home; exact timing TBD in class]