LECTURE NUMBER 1 : Basic Concepts Of Public Policies & Theories

Public Policy & What Is It ? :

Public policy is the principled guide to action taken by the administrative executive branches of
the state with regard to ( a class of ) issues, in a manner consistent with law and institutional
customs. The foundation of public policy is composed of national constitutional laws and
regulations.

Government actions and process Public policy making can be characterized as a dynamic and
complex in nature.

Public policy making is a continuous process that has many feedback loops.

The public problems that influence public policy making can be of economic, social, or political
nature.

The large set of actors in the public policy process, such as politicians, civil servants, lobbyists,
domain experts, and industry or sector representatives.

Many actors can be important in the public policy process, but government officials ultimately
choose public policy in response to the public issue or problem at hand.

Purposes :

Public policy is the means by which a government maintains order or addresses the needs of its
citizens through actions defined by its constitution.

For Example For More Understanding :

In the United States, for example, there have been recent changes to the health care system
that now require every citizen to have health insurance. After a series of debates, evaluations,
and analysis, the federal government arrived at the conclusion that this would be in the best
interest of citizens and began crafting bills, insurance mandates, and other pieces of legislation
to establish a system for how Americans receive health care treatment. Through this legal and
political process, they have created a new public policy, which contains several different parts
in order for it to serve its purpose.

Political Science :

Which deals with systems of governance, and the analysis of political activities, political
thoughts and political behaviour.
Political science comprises numerous subfields, including politics, economy, international
relations, theorys, public administration, public policys and political methodologys.

Political scientists provide the frameworks from which journalists, special interest groups,
politicians are analyses the issues.

'It is the study of governments, public policies and political processes, systems, and political
behavior.'

Political science helps us understand politics. If you can understand something, you have a
better chance of making it work in the manner you want.

Scope of Political Science :

The scope of political science is vast and experts have divided the field of political science into
five sub-disciplines that are political theory, public administration, comparative politics,
international relations, and public law.

Let's Look At An Example :

Peter is studying the problem of healthcare system in the United States. The United States
pretty much spends more money per capita on healthcare than other countries but ranks well
below many countries in healthcare outcomes. Adding to this problem is the public
misconception that the United States healthcare system produces better results than systems
in other countries that spend much less. Peter's job as a researcher for his think tank is to
examine the political problem of healthcare system and come up with policy recommendations
to solve the problems of USA healthcare systems. This requires the study of political
institutions, public policy, He then needs to determine how these political factors relate and
interact with a wide range of issues affecting the healthcare system, including economics,
public and private finance, law, healthcare services, insurance, and ethics.
Politics & Public Policy :

Politics Public Policy

It is a part of the government system It can be called a plan
Politics refers to the theory and practice of A policy can be defined as an overall plan that
governance. embraces the general goals.
It can refer to the practice done to "run" a It is proposed by a government.
state, or in other words, the activities in a
government to (ideally) achieve the people's
prosperity.
Politics refers to authority and refers to public A policy can also be termed as a commitment
life. Politics generally revolves round or statement of intent.
government and its activities.
It refers to the organizational process. A policy is a set of rules or principles that
guide decisions.
Politics generally revolves round Policy is the set of guidelines and laws for
government and its activities. public administration.

What Makes It Politics ( Political ) & Role Of Civil Societies :

Politics is the way that people living in groups make decisions. ...

But politics can also be seen in other groups, too, such as in big companies and institutions.

Politics is about making agreements between people so that they can live together in groups
such as tribes, cities, or countries. In large groups, such as countries, some people may spend a
lot of their time making such agreements. These people are called politicians. Politicians, and
sometimes other people, may get together to form a government.

In the sense of political parties, In most countries, people have formed political parties to put
forward their ideas.

Let's Look At An Example In Case Of Pakistan :

The politics of Pakistan takes place within the framework established by the constitution. The
country is a federal parliamentary republic in which provincial governments enjoy a high degree
of autonomy and residuary powers. The head of state is the president who is elected by
the electoral college for a five-year term. The president was a significant authority until
the 18th amendment, passed in 2010, Pakistan has been shifted from a Semi-presidential
system to a purely parliamentary government.

The Government consists of three branches: executive, legislative and judicial. The Executive
branch consists of the Cabinet and is led by the Prime Minister. It is totally independent of the
legislative branch that consists of a bicameral parliament. The Upper House is the Senate whilst
the National Assembly is the lower house.The Judicial branch forms with the composition of
the Supreme Court as an apex court, alongside the high courts and other courts. The judiciary's
function is to interpret the Constitution and federal laws and regulations.

The Military establishment has played an influential role in the country's politics.

From 1950s to 2000s, several coups were staged that overthrew democratic regimes. However,
after the resignation of President Musharraf in 2008, a sharp line has been drawn between
the Military and politics and Pakistan is moving closer to becoming a Liberal Democracy.
Eighteenth Amendment of the Constitution of Pakistan :

It was passed by the National Assembly of Pakistan on April 8, 2010,removing the power of
the President of Pakistan to dissolve the Parliament unilaterally, turning Pakistan from a semi-
presidential to a parliamentary republic, and renaming North-West Frontier Province to Khyber
Pakhtunkhwa. The package is expected to counter the sweeping powers amassed by the
Presidency under former Presidents General Pervez Musharraf and General Muhammad Zia-ul-
Haq and to ease political instability in Pakistan. The amendment bill was passed by the Senate
of Pakistan on April 15, 2010 and it became an act of parliament when President Asif Ali
Zardari put his signature on the bill on April 19, 2010. It was the first time in Pakistan's history
that a president relinquished a significant part of his powers willingly and transferred them to
parliament and the office of the prime minister.

Role Of Civil Societies : In Case Of Pakistan

The role of civil society cannot be ignored in the development of a country in the modern era.
Civil society in democratic arena compels the undemocratic elements to follow democratic
culture and tradition in a given society. The civil society keeps a vigilant watch on the activities
of legislature, executive and judiciary. It criticizes any organ of the government which misuses
its power or violates the constitution or meddles with the activities of other organ of
government. In Pakistan the role of civil society is also significant in the promotion of
democracy in Pakistan.

A society includes economy, market, judiciary, family and other institutions as well as civil
society; in other words, civil society is part of the larger society. Democracy is the combination
of two words i.e. Demo and Cracy which means people and power respectively. Pakistans
civil society has been growing for the past two decades in various spheres of social life. Civil
society has played a pivotal role in the promotion of democratic culture and tradition in
Pakistan.

What Is In Public Policy Interests & What is the good Public Policy :

Policy making process is a part of politics and political action.

Public policy is what the government actually decides or chooses to do.

Steps Involved Are As Below : ( Like As Planning Commission Of Pakistan )

What Community Wants

Expert Judgment
Most Efficient Use Of Public Resources
What Political & Business Leaders Want
 What Market Provides

Key Attributes Of Public Policy :

The policy is made in response to some sort problem that requires attention.
Ultimately, made by governments.
Towards a goal or desired state.
Policy is made on behalf of the "public."
Policymaking is part of an ongoing process that does not always have a clear beginning
or end.
No doubt, there are many problems in our communities that need to be solved.
Policy making process is a part of politics and political action.

A good policy is one that solves problems without creating a political rift. Whenever it is
believed that it can solve a problem without one party disagreeing with its inception, it can go
forward without issue. This policy should solve a public problem without violating the legal
boundaries set down by federal, state, and local laws. It must encourage an active citizenry,
furthermore, as well as the democratic process.

Public Policy Making is a Very Complex Process, it involves many components which are
interconnected with each others.

Public policies are made up by public authorities.

The Involvement of Various Bodies / Agencies : Industrial workers, voters, intellectuals,

legislators, bureaucrats, political parties, political executives. Judiciary- etc. are the various
organs that participate in public policy making and can influence the policy process to a great
extent.

Public Policy Morphology / Outer Structure :

Steps Involved :

Process :
Comparative :
Analysis :
Research :
Public Policy Types :

Few Are Below & Examples :

Constituent :
It is a top-down process of policy making.

The meaning of constituent is permitting one person or organization to work as an

agent. For government, a constituent policy is connected mainly to development of new
departments, internal distribution of funds and rules for public servants.

It is the policies relating to constituting new institutions/mechanisms for public welfare.

For Example :

After 9/11, government established Department of Homeland Security to prevent future

terrorist attacks.

During the Great Depression of 1930's, government established Social Security

Administration to protect the Americans from severe financial hardships.

Distributive :

This policy allows the government to provide public goods or services to all in the nation
with the help of public fund. In general, citizens do not complain about it, for it is related
to equal opportunity.

A public policy such as Social Security that provides benefits to all groups in society.

Distributive Policies Aimed at ensuring proper distribution of opportunities, goods,

services among different sections of society.

For Example :

Highways : Government built it by using our tax money. All classes of citizens are free to
use it.

Public schools : Kids from every class are accepted by public schools.
 Re Distributive :

Policies are concerned with the rearrangement of policies which are concerned with
bringing about basic social and economic changes. Certain public goods and welfare
services are disproportionately divided among the certain segments of the society,
these goods and service5 are streamlined through redistributive policies.

That is why, redistributive policies have always been most controversial.

For Example :

The government redistributes societal wealth from one group to another group. This
occurs when the government provides benefits directly to citizens through social
programs such as welfare.

Regularity :

Regulatory policies are concerned with regulation of trade, business, safety measures,
public utilities, etc This type of regulation is done by independent organizations that
work on behalf of the government.

For Example :

Regulatory policies prescribe do's and don'ts for different groups to prevent individuals
from becoming their victims.

Prohibition of drunk driving : This is done to keep roads free of fatal accidents.

Symbolic :

Symbolic policies have little material impact on people.

They allocate no tangible advantages or disadvantages.

Such policies have to be formulated keeping in view the prime character of the
constitution socio-economic problems and the level of moral claims of the society.

These are the policies concerned with the general welfare and development of the
society.
 For Example :

Like provision of education and employment opportunities, economic stabilisation,law

and order enforcement,anti pollution laws,etc are its examples.

Material : ???

Provide tangible resources or substantive power to their beneficiaries.

For Example :

The real disadvantages on this that are adversely affected. (Minimum wage, Support
Wheat Price etcccc..

Capitalization :

Capitalization policies are different in nature than the other policies.

These policies are related to financial subsidies given by the Centre or federal
government.

For Example :

It is basically infrastructural and development policies for govt. business organizations to

keep functioning properly.

Technical :

It relates to the policies framed for arrangement of procedures and rules.

For Example :

A capitalization policy is used by a company to set a threshold.

The policy is typically set by senior management or even the board of
directors.
Public Policy Theories : Models

Political System :

System theory provides approach to understanding, analyzing and thinking about organizations.

As far as system theory is concerned, the political system - like other systems such as the
economic system - represents a subsystem.

Public policy as system output.

Institutional :

This approach to the study of public administration.

According to this model, public policy is authoritatively determined, implemented and enforced
by political institutions such as the legislature, the executive, the judiciary and the political
parties. A policy is not a policy until it is adopted by government institutions.

Public policy as institutional output.

Who : executive, legislative, and judicial branches.

Process :

Public policy as political activity

Who : voters, interest groups, legislators, presidents, bureaucrats, judges

How : ID problem, set agenda, formulate policy proposals, legitimate policies,

implement policies, evaluate policies.

Group :

Group theory views politics as a struggle among various groups (such as political parties,
pressure groups, racial and religious groups) in a society to influence public policy.

Elite :

The ruling elite is a small group composed of people with wealth, intelligence, skills, political
power, military might, influence, etc. They belong to the upper class of society.

Who: elites that have power.

Rationalism :

The rational model of public policy-making is a process for making logically-sound decisions in
the public sector. The rational model is intended to achieve "maximum social gain".

Instrumentalism :

Instrumentalism views public policy as a continuation of past government activities or policies

with only incremental changes or modifications. In this model, existing programmes or policies
or expenditures are considered as a base and only small changes are made to existing policies.

Game :

Public policy as rational choice in competitive situations.

Who : players/decision makers who have choices to make and the outcome depends on
the choice made by each (assumes rationality in making choices).

Public Choice :

Public policy as collective decision making by self-interested individuals.

Public choice or public choice theory refers to "the use of economic tools to deal with
traditional problems of political science".

Public choice is the study of political decision making.

System :

Public policy as system output.

Who : individuals, groups, or nations depending upon the scope of the problem.

What is the purpose of the public policy process ?

Public policy is a set of objectives set by the government relating to the general health and
welfare of the public and actions taken to accomplish it. The public policy process is the
manner in which public policy is formed, implemented and evaluated.

Public policy decisions are primarily made to improve the health, safety and well-being of
citizens, and may seat standards for educational institutions, transportation operations and
housing facilities.