Chapter 6 – The Doctrinal Approach to Understanding
Public Policy
Today’s Menu
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Philosophy, Doctrine, Policy
Corollaries
Paradigms
Party Platforms
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Homework
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Test on Thursday!
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As The Fixx said: One Thing Leads to Another
 Philosophy
Doctrine
Policy
What are Our Doctrines?
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The Apostle’s Creed: I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, God's only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried;
he descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again;
he ascended into heaven,
he is seated at the right hand of the Father,
and he will come again to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. AMEN.
Harding Statement of Belief
Keynote:
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Deterrence
– Maintaining power in order to discourage attacks
– Dr. Strangelove: How can it be a deterrent if you don’t tell us about it?
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Containment
– Preventing the expansion of hostile forces
Preemption
(Latin - the right to purchase before another)
 Taking possession before someone else
 Taking possession of:
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–
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the initiative
“If we wait for threats to fully materialize we will have waited too long…. The war on terror
will not be won on the defensive.”
– George Bush June 1, 2002
– http://usinfo.state.gov/journals/itps/0702/ijpe/ijpe0702.htm
– Hats: http://www.jamd.com/search?text=george%20bush%20westpoint&partner=Google&epmid=1
Some Definitions are in Order:
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Doctrine Teaching
Ideology
Takes vague philosophy and makes it operational, so that
specific policies may be derived from it.
Policy –
– What your government has decided to do
– “Standing decision by an authoritative source”
– “an implementation of doctrine”
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Corollary
A revision and addition to a doctrinal policy
An example of the cyclical nature of doctrines and the policies they
produce
Doctrinal Development Cycle Figure 6.6, page 149
Paradigm
Thomas Kuhn’s idea that in science, the whole world view
sometimes shifts
A Personal Request
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When you are tempted to use the word paradigm…
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DON’T
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It means more than you think it does
If you really want to sound smart, you could try Weltanschauung
(world view)
In NO instance are you allowed to use “paradigm shift” and
“outside of the box” during the same ten day period
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Tell us how you really feel, Publius…
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A common passion or interest will, in almost every case,
be felt by a majority of the whole; a communication and
concert result from the form of government itself; and
there is nothing to check the inducements to sacrifice the
weaker party or an obnoxious individual. Hence it is that
such democracies have ever been spectacles of turbulence
and contention; have ever been found incompatible with
personal security or the rights of property; and have in
general been as short in their lives as they have been
violent in their deaths.
The Primary Doctrine of the US:
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Republicanism
– That is to say, representative government,
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Philosophy:
– The mob scares me!
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Doctrine
– Republicanism
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Policy
– An elected House of Representatives
NOT democracy
What do you see as each party’s doctrines?
Let’s list them…
Doctrines are Expressed in Party Platforms
Republican 2004
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http://www.gop.com/images/2004platform.pdf
Winning the War on Terror …
because our government’s most solemn duty is to keep its citizens safe.
Ushering in an Ownership Era …
because a vibrant entrepreneurial spirit will keep our economy strong and
provide more opportunities for workers and families.
Building an Innovative Economy to Compete in the World …
because America can compete with anyone, anywhere, thanks to our entrepreneurs and
risk-takers who keep us on the cutting edge of technology and commerce.
Strengthening Our Communities …
because our children deserve to grow up in an America in which all their hopes and
dreams can come true.
Protecting Our Families …
because we respect the family’s role as a touchstone of stability and strength in an everchanging
world.
Democratic 2004
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http://www.democrats.org/pdfs/2004platform.pdf
We have a plan to build a strong, respected America: protecting our people, rebuilding our alliances, and
leading the way to a more peaceful and prosperous world.
We have a plan to build a strong, growing economy: creating good jobs, rewarding hard work, and
restoring fiscal discipline.
We have a plan to help our people build strong, healthy families: securing quality health care, offering
world-class education, and ensuring clean air and water.
And we will honor the values of a strong American community: widening the circle of equality, protecting
the sanctity of freedom, and deepening our commitment to this country.
Policy Implications of Doctrine
 The
problem of poverty:
– Both sides want to address it, but how?
– Does it require more welfare or more private sector incentives to
hire new employees?
Policy Implications of Doctrine
 The
problem of crime:
– Both sides want to address it, but how?
– Does it require
 more welfare, better education, more public works jobs?
 or more police and more prisons and stronger sentencing guidelines?
Why a Doctrinal Model to Study Public Policy?
It’s like a puzzle.
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Philosophy
Doctrine
Policy
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If you get one piece, you can use it to figure out the others.
Last Question
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What is the doctrine of Policy Analysis?
Rationalism?
The ability to KNOW?
Expertise?
Gnosis?
Shafritz says: Back to Bentham
Utility – The greatest happiness for the greatest number
Remember – Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness
What? There’s a Test? On Thursday?
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Test on Chapters 1-6
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Matching - the person to the concept
Draw and explain
Listing
FIBS
Reading questions
Definitions – no essay, but twenty plus definitions
Bring your own paper.
There are notes for every chapter (though they are weak for chapter 5) on the
web!
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