Perspectives and Approaches in Policy Making

• Every government, group, or organization plays a very important role on how to make and improve the life of its people. Every action that they do generally affects the health, wealth, and well-being of its people.
• Purpose of Policy - To address the problem/s in a manner that will benefit the people
• Who implements policies? Government, Group or Organization
• 4 players for Plan of Action(Media): Public, NGOs, Private Sectors, Experts
• Policies vs plans: Well formulated policies are key to success of any plan
• Policies vs plans: The implementation of any plan requires policy guidelines
• Policies vs plans: Organizational plans are based on established policies
• Policies vs plans: Planning and policy making go together as important functions of management
• Policy making is the activity of deciding on new policies, especially by a government or political party
• Policy making is closely related to decision making
• Evidence based on research is vital to the process of policy making
• Public Policy is the set of actions the government decides to take when approaching a problem that affects society as a group rather than on an individual level
• Public policies are policies that the government makes on the public's behalf to resolve a specific issue
• Public policy is crafted by the legislative, executive, and judiciary and are evaluated by policy analysts, experts, media, and political leaders
• Political Systems Theory - Policy is the output of a political system
• Group Theory - Interests groups pressure and interact with the makers on preferences and self interest
• Group Theory - composed of like - minded people who seek to promote and campaign for a common cause
• Pressure groups - Does not participate in elections but usually supports political parties to achieve goals
• Pressure Groups - Seek to advance their interests by influencing government decisions
• Professional groups - Type of pressure group that campaigns for problems faced by certain professions like medical groups, teachers, etc.
• Economic groups - Type of pressure group that aims to voice the protection of the economic interests of its members by influencing government and business policies
• Social Groups - Type of pressure group that pays attention to social issues such as human rights and influencing government policies and decisions
• Lobbyist - A person needed to make transactions between the special interest and politician legal
• Institutionalism - Public Policy is determined by government institutions
• Rational Choice Theory - The government should choose policies resulting in maximum gains to the society
• Game Theory - Focuses on the idea of competition and cooperation that will result in the formation of incentives to a greater satisfaction of all
• Incremental Model - Evaluates public policy as small changed or adjustments in past policies
• Policy Making Process: Problem Identification, Agenda Setting, Policy Formulation, Policy Adoption, Policy Implementation, Policy Evaluation
• 1st Step: Conduct first a research and consultation on what specific policy should be focused on laying all the formal and legal bases
• 2nd Step: Work on a structured process where each actor will play an important and effective role in the process
• 3rd Step: Move away from a highly politicized context where only a limited group of people will benefit instead prioritize on how to improve the quality and everyday lives of its people and the public in general
• 4th Step: Implement a system of accountability where policy-makers are to be held responsible