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CHAPTER 13
Government and Public Policy
Public Policy in the Political Process
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
Conflict Over the Ends of Government
policy is “whatever government chooses to do or
not to do.”
 Public
 Debates
over procedures and rules are really debates
over policy.
 The
results of public policy mirror conflicts in demands.
This is because of varying consequences for different
groups.
 Even
policies designed to protect the common good
may have consequences.
Selected Perspectives on Policymaking
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Given the complexity
of making policy and
the sharp conflicts
that can drive policy
debate, a variety of
models,
interpretations, and
approaches have
been offered as
portraits of how
policy is or should be
made.
Perspectives on Policymaking
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
Several models or explanations of policymaking have been
proposed.

The systems model


The bureaucratic model


Holds that bureaucracies play a crucial role in making policy because of
their commitment and the expertise they can provide
The Marxism model


Holds that policy is the product of an interlocking relationship between
institutions of government and its social, economic, and political
environment
Holds that public policy decisions in non-Marxist regimes reflect the
interest of the ruling economic class at the expense of the workers
The free market capitalism model

Holds that government plays a limited role, and therefore the natural
forces of supply and demand are allowed to prevail in the marketplace
The Systems Model of Policymaking
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The systems model describes policymaking in terms of the relationship between a political
system and its environment. “Inputs” (demands and supports) are converted into “outputs”
(policy decisions). By affecting the environment of the political system, these outputs may
generate new inputs.
Who makes policy decisions?
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


According to the elitism model, public policy decisions are
made by a relatively small group of individuals acting in their
own self-interest rather than in the interest of the mass citizens.
According to the pluralism model, public policy decisions are
the result of struggle among contesting groups that reflect the
various interests among citizens.
How are policy decisions made?
 In the rational-comprehensive model, policymakers identify
problems, consider various policy alternatives and their costs
and benefits, and select and implement the policy strategy
with the highest benefits and the lowest cost.
 Incrementalism is an alternative model that holds that new
policies should differ only marginally from existing policies.
Incrementalism and Social Security
Tax Rates
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The creation of the
Social Security
program in 1935 was
a fundamental change
in government policy.
Once Social Security
was established,
changes in the rates of
taxes to pay for the
program occurred in
incremental steps over
time. Short of an
emergency of the
magnitude of the
Great Depression, it is
unlikely that there will
be any drastic and
abrupt changes in the
program. Rather,
adjustments will come
gradually.
Stages in the Policy Process
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

The policy process can be a confusing clash of ideas, events,
and personalities.
Five stages in the evolution of policies help make sense out of
a seemingly confusing and chaotic process.

Getting Issues on the Agenda of Government




The policy agenda is comprised of the list of issues that engage the
attention of elected officials.
The issues on the policy agenda are always changing.
Different sets of issues have dominated the policy agenda at different
times.
Formulating Policy Proposals


In this stage, debate centers around policy strategy, a course of action
designed to deal with the original problem.
What government should do, who should benefit, and who should bear
the costs comprise the material of policy debate.
Stages in the Policy Process
(continued)
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
Formulating Policy Proposals



Adopting Policy Proposals



Policy adoption occurs when the institutions of government make a
formal, authoritative decision.
Formal adoption may occur through the passage of a bill, a Supreme
Court decision, or a bureaucratic regulation.
Implementing Policies


In this stage, debate centers around policy strategy, a course of
action designed to deal with the original problem.
What government should do, who should benefit, and who should
bear the costs comprise the material of policy debate.
Bureaucracies are ultimately responsible for policy implementation,
translating policy ideas into action.
Evaluating Policies

Policy evaluation determines whether the formally adopted,
implemented strategy actually fixed the originally defined problem.
Stages in the Policy Process
(continued)
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Although policies do not always
develop in the neatly defined steps
outlined here, an awareness of
what happens in each step helps us
understand the process that occurs
as government attempts to solve
problems and accomplish goals.
Any number and combination of
persons and events can bring
concerns to the attention of political
leaders (step 1). Policymakers in the
executive and legislative branches
then study the range of choices
open to them to meet those concerns
(step 2). A variety of public officials
may be involved in selecting a
course of action or in deciding to
do nothing at all (step 3). The
policy then becomes the
responsibility of bureaucrats to
administer (step 4). Finally,
evaluation occurs. Does the plan
work? Is it worth its costs (step 5)?
The evaluation may become a
factor in encouraging further
policymaking by government.
The Purposes and Presence of the
National Government
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
There are two basic policy categories:
Domestic policy
 Foreign policy



The presence or absence of economic self-interest is
another useful criterion for differentiating policies.
Categories of National Government Policies
Foreign and defense policies are among the oldest functions
of the national government.
 The most significant policy growth over the past half-century
has occurred in the category of Social Welfare.

The Purposes and Presence of the
National Government (continued)
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 Protection
of legal and constitutional rights is
exemplified by Supreme Court decisions
protecting individual and group rights and
congressional legislation on civil and voting
rights.
 Promotion of science and technology has
become government policy in such areas as
the space program and medical research.
The Purposes and Presence of the
National Government (continued)
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 Regulation
by government is intended to
structure relationships in certain industries or
enhance the political and economic status of
certain groups.
 Economic policies have their roots in the early
days of the Republic and continue to have a
huge impact through budget, tax,
employment, investment, and other types of
policies.