Public Policy - Process
Public Policy-Anything the
government chooses to do or not to
do.
Political Agenda
• Deciding what
government is going to
“do”
• Constantly changing
• “legitimacy” plays a
huge role
Legitimacy
• Shared political values
– What we believe is
needed-welfare
• Custom and Tradition
– Habits are hard to break
• Major events
– Wars, natural disasters
Who forces policy ?
1.
•
•
•
•
Groups
Organized labor
African Americans
Women
Immigrants
Who forces policy?
2. Institutions
• Courts
• Bureaucracy/President
• Senate
–
Not the Founders plan!
Who forces policy?
3. Media
• Support and further the
efforts of other groups
• Create their own
Now that you mention it…
• Cost – burden (monetary or not) that some
people must bear if the policy is adopted.
Perceived or actual
• Benefit – the satisfaction (monetary or not)
that people will receive if the policy is adopted
Keep in mind…
• Perception is everything!!
– Stem cell research
– Clean coal
– Ethanol
– KCHIP
• Who is going to cover the cost?
Keep keeping in mind…
• Legitimacy!
– Welfare vs Aid to dependent children
• Are they deserving?
• “Who will benefit vs. who ought to benefit”
Types of Policy Outcomes
Costs
Benefits
Widely Distributed
Concentrated
Widely
Distributed
Majoritarian Politics
Client Politics
Social Security
Defense Policy
Aid to Public Education
Agriculture Subsidies
Concentrated
Entrepreneurial
Politics
Interest Group Politics
Air Pollution Controls
Auto Fuel Economy
Tax Policy
Telecommunications
*Policy entrepreneurs = Consumer advocates
Applying Policy to Business Regulation
•
•
•
•
Majoritarian politics
Big costs
Broad benefits
Examples
– Sherman Antitrust Act
– Federal Trade
Commission
Applying Policy to Business Regulation
• Interest Group Politics
• One specific group
bears the cost
• Another specific group
reaps the benefit
• Examples
– Organized labor
Applying Policy to Business Regulation
• Client Politics
• We all pay – a few
benefit
• Regulation or support
of certain professions
– Agriculture Adjustment
Act
– Beauticians, barbers
– Tobacco farmers
Applying Policy to Business Regulation
•
•
•
•
Entrepreneurial Politics
Costs are paid by a few
Benefits everyone
Fear of industry
“capture”
• Examples
– Pure Food and Drug Act