PUBLIC POLICY

PSU GRADUATE SCHOOL URDANETA CITY

FDM 201
ABIGAIL PUGAL-SOMERA
Nature of Public Policy
and Process
Some Public Policy Definitions
Traditional Views
SOME PUBLIC POLICY DEFINITIONS
SOME DEFINITIONS:
In any society, governmental entities enact laws,
make policies, and allocate resources. This is true
at all levels. Public policy can be generally defined
as a system of laws, regulatory measures, courses
of action, and funding priorities concerning a given
topic promulgated by a governmental entity or its
representatives.
SOME PUBLIC POLICY DEFINITIONS
Public policy is an attempt by a government to
address a public issue by instituting laws,
regulations, decisions, or actions pertinent to the
problem at hand. Numerous issues can be
addressed by public policy including crime,
education, foreign policy, health, and social
welfare. The process to create a new public policy
typically follows three steps: agenda-setting,
option-formulation, and implementation; the
time-line for a new policy to be put in place can
range from weeks to several years, depending on
the situation.
Nature and Scope of Public Policy
The authoritative allocation of values for a society.
The process of deciding who gets what, when,
where and how.
What the government chooses to do or not to do
about a specific problem.
Establish the boundaries of our freedoms & color the
contours of our interactions with other people in our
political, social & economic systems
TRADITIONAL VIEWS
Woodrow Wilson, who is arguably the father of modern public
administration, contends, public policy is the laws and regulations
which are made by legislative statesmen and implemented by
public administration personnel (as cited in Wu Qiyuan, 1985, p. 4).
This definition is obviously characterized by the dichotomy between
politics and administration, which narrows the scope and limits the
range of public policy makers.
First, public policy includes not only laws and regulations, but also
governments plans, instructions, decisions, and other symbolic systems.
Secondly, those who participate in the making of public policy include
not only statesmen, but also representatives of citizens, experts, and
scholars. Especially in the modern era of the administrative state
(Waldo, 1984), with the sharp expansion of governmental function and
the wide application of administrative judicial rights, executive
authorities participation in making public policy has increased steadily
TRADITIONAL VIEWS
Harold Lasswell and Abraham Kaplan (1970) define public policy
as a projected program of goals, values, and practices. The
aforementioned definition confuses public policy with
programs, making the latter seem overly extensive. A program
can be public policy, but not all public policies are programs. As
has been pointed out, public policy also includes instructions,
decisions, laws, regulations, and other symbolic systems that
government sends out.
TRADITIONAL VIEWS
Thomas R. Dye (1987) thinks, Public policy is whatever
governments choose to do or not to do.
Dye focuses not only on government action, but also
on government inaction, and therefore, his definition
shows the obvious character of behavioralism. It
reflects the practical discipline quality of public policy
analysis.
Action means that government takes measures or
uses symbols openly in order to solve some public
problem. Inaction means that government does not
take measures or express active symbols, abiding by
the principle of noninterference. Both are important
solutions to public problems.
TRADITIONAL VIEWS
Robert Eyestone (1971) defines public policy most
extensively. He states, In a broad sense, public
policy is the relationship between governmental
organs and their environment.
It is evident that Eyestone is influenced by the
science of ecological administration.
Indeed, public policy is the function of a
governmental system and its living environment,
namely P = F (G, E) (here, P refers to public policy,
G refers to governmental system, and E refers to
the living environment).
 The Philippine Public
Policy:
Past, Present and Future
Public Policy as a Study A Brief History
The post-war years saw the emergence of public
policy as a subfield of public administration.
In the US, interest in policy studies started in 1950s.
In the Philippines, however, it started not to long
ago, in 1970s in the then Institute of Public
Administration in the University of the Philippines.
Generally, policy studies can focus on the content of
public policy, its processes, models, theories and
approaches of public policy its impact as well as
evaluation of public programs and projects.
Public Policy as a Study A Brief History
Dye (1995) said that certain theoretical approaches
and models have been introduced in studying public
policy which include
institutional,
process,
group,
elite,
rational,
incremental,
game theory,
public choice and
systems model.
Approaches to Public Policy
Analycentric
focuses on individual problems and their solutions; its
scope is the micro-scale and its problem
interpretation is usually of a technical nature
Policy Process
puts its focal point onto political processes and
involved stakeholders; its scope is the meso-scale and
its problem interpretation is usually of a political
nature
Meta-policy Approach
systems and context approach; i.e., its scope is the
macro-scale and its problem interpretation is usually
of a structural nature
Public Policy in the Philippines
There are several institutional built-in systems of policy-
making in the Philippines, some of these are:
National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) for
socio-economic policies
National Security Council (NSC) for security and defense
Legislative Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC)
general legislative agendas
Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) local level
agencies for concerns affecting basic services
The last three agencies mentioned do perform certain
stages of the public policy process, none of them have a more
defined and extensive mandate and a more permanent structure
than NEDA.
NEDA
The highest policy making body responsible for all
aspects of the development program
NEDA Board is headed by the President with
selected Cabinet secretaries and other executive
staff officers and members.
NEDA Secretariat is the research arm of the NEDA
board.
NEDA Director-General heads the Secretariat, and is
also the Social-Economic Planning Secretary (per
EO#230)
Policy Stream Agenda

Evaluation
Policy Formulation

Implementation Legitimation
Policy Stream
Agenda
Actual performance during the preceding year
New developments and emerging issues in the local and international economies
Shifts in the policy emphasis of the administration

Policy Formulation
Econometric Models
Input-Output Analysis
Accounting Frameworks
Project Evaluation and Prioritization
Legitimation
Medium-Term Development Plan (MTDP)
State-of-the-Nation Address (SONA)

Implementation
Forge a consensus at the pre-implementation phase since it is the
different departments who are actually tasked to implement the various
programs stipulated in the MTPDP and other policy declarations

Evaluation
Feedback and monitoring mechanisms through its attached agencies
Stakeholders in Philippine Public Policy
Executive
Branch

Political Political
Consultants Parties

Interest Legislative
Groups Branch
Philippine
Government

Local
Citizens
Governments

Judicial
Media
Branch
 Problems and Criticisms
New Influence Players
Catholic Church with two EDSAs to their credit
Mass Media compelling instrument to
manipulate and /or direct public opinion
Civil Society takes it upon themselves to rise up
and partake of the largesse of power
Policy Analysis
Description
Approaches
Forms
Methodology
 A problem well
formulated is a problem
half solved.
We want to learn how to
look at problems from
multiple perspectives to
achieve the best problem
definition and possible /
feasible solutions
Not all Public Problems are amenable to
policy analysis, but when they are, the
analysis can support decision making to:
Determine whether a new policy is required to address the
problem
If a policy already exists, determine whether it needs to be
modified or terminated
Analyze one policy (retrospectively or prospectively)
Compare two or more policies that address a similar problem
Assess future implications of current or new policies
Explore stages in the development of particular policies
Challenges of Public Policy problems
May show up in ways that are difficult to address
Inherently multidimensional, overlap & contradict
Are ill defined, so wicked problems
The consensus over social goals may be illusory
Decision-makers have different preferences and
values, often conflicting
The definition of a policy problem is not completely
scientific or systematic: creativity, sagacity, socially
constructed
Three Approaches to Policy Analysis

Approach Primary Question Type of Information

Descriptive and
Empirical Does it and will it exist? (facts)
predictive

Valuative Of what worth is it? (values) Valuative

Normative
What should be done? (action) Prescriptive
(value-critical)
 Five types of Policy relevant information:
interrelated and interdependent
S. No. Types Importance

Policy Problems Conceptualizing problem from different angles-

1
viable solutions
Policy Futures Identifying consequences of future course of
2
action
Policy Actions Forecasting & evaluating consequences of action
3
based on different alternatives
Policy Outcomes Ensuring an observed consequences of policy
4
actions
Policy Finding the degree of value contributed by policy
5 Performance outcome (useful in forecasting policy future)
Five Info is obtained by the means of -
Policy Analysis Process of Inquiry
S. No. Procedure Information

1 Definition (Problem
Conditions giving rise to a policy problem
Structuring)

Prediction Future consequences of acting on policy

2
(Forecasting) alternatives, including doing nothing

Prescription
3 Future course of action
(Recommendation)

Description Present and Past causes and consequences

4
(Monitoring) of acting on policy alternatives

Value or worth of consequences in solving

5 Evaluation
the problem
 Three Elements of Policy System
Policy
Stakeholders

Policy
Public Policy
Environment

Crime Policy Analysts Law Enforcement

Inflation Citizens Groups Economic
Unemployment Labor Unions Welfare
Discrimination Parties Personnel
Urban Squalor Agencies Urban
Source: Adapted from Thomas R. Dye, Understanding Public Policy 3rd ed.
Dunns Integrated Framework:
Problem Centered Policy Analysis

Adapted from Public Policy Analysis: An Introduction by William N. Dunn

Forms of Policy Analysis
Prospective Policy Analysis
Retrospective Policy Analysis
Integrated Policy Analysis
Prospective Policy Analysis
The production and transformation of information
before policy actions are initiated and implemented.
Tends to Characterize the operating styles of
economists, systems analysts, and operations
researchers.
Synthesizes information to draw policy alternatives
and preferences.
 Criticism on Prospective Analysis

Often creates large gap

Preferred Efforts of
Solutions to Govt. to
Problems resolve the
problem
Gaps

Adapted from Public Policy Analysis: An Introduction by William N. Dunn

Retrospective Policy Analysis
Confined to the production and transformation of
information after policy actions have been taken.
Operating styles of three major groups of analysts:
1. Discipline oriented analysts
2. Problem oriented analysts
3. Application oriented analysts
Retrospective Policy Analysis
Discipline Oriented Application Oriented
Problem Oriented Analysis
Analysis Analysis

Political Scientists & Political Scientists & Also persons from social
Sociologists seeks to Sociologists - seeks to work, public administration
develop and test discipline describe the causes and & evaluation research.
based theories. consequences of policies. Seeks to describe causes

Describe the causes and Less concerned with the Not concerned with dev.
consequences of the development and testing of And testing of discipline
policies. theories. Discipline Oriented based theories.
Analysis
What affected the policies
Seldom attempts to Seldom provides info about They are concerned with
identity specific goals and specific goals and objectives the identification of goals
objectives of policymakers of policymakers. Coz the and objectives of policy
(does not distinguish problem they analyze are makers and other
policy variables). usually of general nature. stakeholders. Good info for
evaluating policy outcome.
 Integrated Policy Analysis

Integrated Policy
Analysis
Prospective Policy Retrospective Policy
Analysis Builds on the strengths of Analysis
both Prospective &
Retrospective Analysis
multidisciplinary in full sense
Suffers from inadequate & of the world Suffers from its nature i.e.
unreliable info. About changes in confined with passive reporting of
values , goals and objectives Multidisciplinary framework, information about the
which occur after policies have concerns with the production & consequences of implemented
been implemented. transformation of information both policies
before and after policy actions have
been taken.
Provides methodology for policy
analysis (rules & procedures)

Adapted from Public Policy Analysis: An Introduction by William N. Dunn

Integrated Policy Analysis Framework

Adapted from Public Policy Analysis: An Introduction by William N. Dunn

Methodology of Policy Analysis
Descriptive Decision Theory: set of logically consistent
propositions that describe action. Primary aim is to understand
a policy problem rather than to solve it.
Normative Decision Theory: set of logically consistent
propositions that provide a basis for improving the
consequences of action. Appropriate for predicting and
recommending different courses of action before they have
occurred. Aim is to solve the problem - Problem Solving
methodology.
Models of Policy Analysis
Institutional Model
Public policy is determined by political institutions, which give
policy legitimacy.
Government universally applies policy to all citizens of society
and monopolizes the use of force in applying policy.
The legislature, executive and judicial branches of government
are examples of institutions that give policy legitimacy.
Process Model
Identification of a problem and demand for
government action

Formulation of policy proposals by various

parties

Policy Legitimation - Selection and

enactment of policy

Implementation of the chosen policy

Evaluation of policy
Group Model
The political system's role is to establish and enforce
compromise between various, conflicting interests in
society.
Elite Model
Public policies are viewed as preferences and values
of governing elite
Policies flow down-ward from elites to masses; they
do not arise from mass demands
Rational Model
process for making logically sound decisions in policy
making in the public sector, although the model is
also widely used in private corporations.
Herbert A. Simon, the father of rational models,
describes rationality as a style of behavior that is
appropriate to the achievement of given goals,
within the limits imposed by given conditions and
constraints
Rational Model
Defining the problem by analyzing the data and the information
1 gathered

Identifying the decision criteria that will be important in solving the problem. The decision
2 maker must determine the relevant factors to take into account when making the decision

A brief list of the possible alternatives must be generated; these could succeed to resolve
3 the problem

A critical analyses and evaluation of each criterion is brought through. For example
strength and weakness tables of each alternative are drawn and used for comparative
basis. The decision maker then weights the previously identified criteria in order to give
4 the alternative policies a correct priority in the decision.

The decision-maker evaluates each alternative against the criteria and selects
5 the preferred alternative.

The policy is brought through.

6
Incremental Model
Under this model, policy is a continuation of previous
policy with minimum changes
Existing programmes, policies and expenditures are
considered as a base
Policy makers accept the legitimacy of previous
policies because of uncertainty about the
consequences of new policies
Game Theory
It is a study of rational decisions in situations where two or
more participants have choices to make and outcome depends
on the choices made by each.
Game Theory is an abstract and deductive model of policy
making.
It does not describe how people actually make decisions but
rather how they should go about making decisions in
competitive situations if they are rational.
Public Choice
This model assumes that all political actors, voters,
tax payers, legislatures, bureaucrats, political parties,
etc. seek to maximize their personal benefits in
politics as a market place.
Individuals come together in politics for their mutual
benefit, just as they come together in a market place.
Systems Model
Why Policy Analysis Models are
Important
They:
Create order and simplify reality
Identify what is significant
Can be congruent with reality
Can provide meaningful communication
Direct Enquiry and Research
Suggest Explanations
Why Policy Analysis Models are
Important
Also,
Model are not competitive; anyone of the can not
be judged as best
Each one provides a separate focus and each can
help understand different things about public
policy
Most policies are a combination of all models
mentioned
What Policy Analysis Can and Cannot
Do
Policy analysis can assist decision makers in choosing
a preferred course of action from complex
alternatives and under uncertain conditions.
Policy analysis is not a panacea or a substitute for
inadequate policymaking processes, defects of
public decisions, bad judgment on the part of
analysts or policymakers, an exact science or a tool
for advocacy by the analyst for his/her own views.
Adapted from Public Policy Analysis: An Introduction by William N. Dunn
Adapted from Public Policy Analysis: An Introduction by William N. Dunn
REFERENCES
http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-public-policy.htm
http://www.musc.edu/vawprevention/policy/definition.shtml
Public policy by William N. Dunn Associate Dean and Professor
University of Pittsburg
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Policy_analysis June 2013
The Philippines: Public Policy and National Economic
Development by Frank Golay
Understanding the Philippine Public Policy Process: An
Executive Branch Perspective by .Antonio F. Trillanes IV PN
October 2002