Public Policy: Criteria for Determination

Public Policy: Criteria for Determination of Public Policies

The objective of this work is to examine the different criteria that can be used in determining if public policies are 'good' or 'bad' depending on ones' perspective. This work will describe various established criteria that are used to evaluate the effectiveness or ineffectiveness of public policy. This work will conclude by choosing a criterion that is believed to be the best and defend its selection.

There are several steps that must be taking in the process determining the best policy solution in view of public policies and the first of these is defining the social problem. This can be accomplished through various methods including: (1) surveys; (2) case studies; (3) gathering statistics; (4) speaking with individuals who are knowledgeable of the problem; (5) interviews; and (6) experts.

ASSESSMENT of PUBLIC POLICY INSTRUMENTS

The work entitled: "Assessing, Selecting, and Implementing Instruments for Government Action" relates an analytical framework for selecting instruments of public policy. The stated framework state that it "sketches out a sequence of enquiry, specifies a methodological foundation, and provides guidance for each step in the instrument choice process. It is stated that the benefits derived from the use of such an analytical framework in selection of public policy instruments are the benefits of: (1) greater transparency in decision making by providing an explicit rationale for instrument choices; (2) greater cohesion in decision making by providing a disciplined approach for assessing and selecting instruments; (3) overcoming of risk of aversion by using risk-based analysis that will assist in understanding the challenges and the most appropriate means of addressing risks; and (4) better outcomes by selecting an appropriate mix of instruments.(Assessing, Selecting, and Implementing Instruments for Government Action, 2007) This framework is stated to be based upon two overarching rationales: (1) the process of analyzing a situation or problem and considering means by which the government could take appropriate action is iterative.; and (2) the contribution of consultation throughout this iterative process is crucial. It enhances government transparency, promotes knowledge sharing, and supports the integrity of government action. (Assessing, Selecting, and Implementing Instruments for Government Action, 2007) the following figure shows the process described in this work.

Figure

Analytical Framework for Selection of Public Policies

Source: Assessing, Selecting, and Implementing Instruments for Government Action, 2007

Because of the complexity of policy making "ongoing consultation with actors and institutions that can have an effect on the risks and objectives being addressed is a crucial component of this iterative process." (Assessing, Selecting, and Implementing Instruments for Government Action, 2007)

II. SETTING OBJECTIVES

The second step in the process involves articulation of the goals of the policy and the desired outcomes. It is important to remember that there may be "several policy goals, each with a variety of outcomes." (Assessing, Selecting, and Implementing Instruments for Government Action, 2007) Setting goals and outcomes "involves addressing the question of which risks are worth reducing to what levels, while trying to balance the risks, costs, and benefits of action." (Assessing, Selecting, and Implementing Instruments for Government Action, 2007)

III. IDENTIFY POTENTIAL INTERVENTION POINTS

The third step is to identify the potential intervention points and this involves "taking into account the actors and institutions that could have an effect on the risks or objectives of the problem or situation…" (Assessing, Selecting, and Implementing Instruments for Government Action, 2007) There are stated to be "two frame of reference for specifying the 'point' at which government intervenes in the economy or society" stated to be: (1) the specific pointing time in a sequence of events; and (3) the particular physical target that can be distinguished from other targets.

IV. IDENTIFYING ACTORS/INSTITUTIONS THAT EFFECT RISKS/OBJECTIVES

The fourth step in this determination is identification of actors and institutions that are involved in the problem or situation being addressed. It is stated that many of today's societal problems and issues are "complex, require specialized knowledge and are too expensive to fully address. It is therefore advantageous to work with other actors and institutions to address public policy problems rather than simply taking a government-centered instrument choice perspective. Hence, it is important to bear in mind that instrument choice by government is a subset of a larger constellation of actors, institutions, instruments, and approaches that, taken together, constitute a more "distributive governance" method of addressing public policy issues. Harnessing the resources and expertise of these external actors, institutions, and processes requires a wider range of non-conventional approaches." (Assessing, Selecting, and Implementing Instruments for Government Action, 2007) Questions that must be asked are those as follows: (1) Is the issue one where government can act alone? (2) Is the issue one where external actors can act alone with some influence from government? (3) Is the issue one where a mixed governance approach is required, that is, where government and external actors need to act together? (4) What external actors operate in the same field? (5) Are the external actors potential collaborators? (6) Can they regulate themselves? (7) Can their self-regulatory abilities be enhanced by means such as capacity and institution building? (8) Are indirect forms of government action appropriate as opposed to direct intervention through regulation? (9) Can new actors be found? (10) if creating new markets, can new actors be encouraged to play a role? (Assessing, Selecting, and Implementing Instruments for Government Action, 2007) it is stated that questions that must be considered for effective consultations throughout the process of assessing and selecting instruments are those as follows: (1) Which actors and institutions can influence the problem or are affected by the problem? (2) What is the level of knowledge, understanding, and expertise of the actors and institutions? What is their capacity to engage in the instrument choice process and provide information? (2) Are the concerns and risks identified by the actors and institutions integrated into the assessment and selection criteria for instruments?

(3) Is consensus the goal of consultation? (4) How will diverging points-of-view be addressed and how will the various actors and institutions be advised? (5) What there be difficult choices or trade-offs? (6) Will certain actors and institutions benefit more than others? (Assessing, Selecting, and Implementing Instruments for Government Action, 2007)

V. CONSIDERATIONS in ASSESSING and SELECTING INSTRUMENTS

The fifth step in this process involves "taking into account a number of considerations relevant to the assessment and selection of instruments." (Assessing, Selecting, and Implementing Instruments for Government Action, 2007) These considerations are inclusive of: (1) effectiveness; (2) legality; (3) conformity and compliance; and (4) accountability. (Assessing, Selecting, and Implementing Instruments for Government Action, 2007) There are three stated dimensions in establishment of the considerations utilized in instrument evaluation: (1) identification of the considerations that relate to management of the problems and risks including: (a) technical; (b) legal; (c) implementation; and (d) conformity and compliance risks; (2) identification and taking full advantage of opportunities for coordination of the types and use of instruments with other governments and agencies domestic and international; and (4) identification of considerations that reflect certain values such as economic efficiency, fairness, individual liberty, political acceptability, and accountability. (Assessing, Selecting, and Implementing Instruments for Government Action, 2007) the following figure is a sample instrument assessment matrix.