Disciplined Application of Intellect to Public Problems

Introduction to Public Policy and Policy Analysis

Leslie Pal defined public policy as "a course of action or inaction chosen by public authorities in addressing given problems or a set of interrelated problems" (Pal, 2010). In essence, this implies that policies are instrumental in tackling issues of concern to the political community. Rationalists argued the importance of policy analysis as having enough data and analysis to solve problems in technical terms, without having to contaminate values. In public policy, the most important overarching value is the interest of the public, and it serves as a benchmark demonstrating what is done by democratic governments. For example, the Public Service has Values and Ethics Codes, and under the law, the "democratic mission is to assist Ministers serve the interests of their public." The political system analyzes policies with an attempt to gain consensus, competition, the rule of law, inclusion, and good governance. Therefore, political and government institutions look at policy analysis as a directional tool for delivering their objectives to their populations (Pal, 2010).

Taxation as a Policy Instrument

Taxation is a field of policy that generates income for the government. It also functions as an instrument that discourages or encourages certain behaviors: lower business taxes, for instance, encourage investment, while higher "sin" taxes on alcohol discourage smoking and drinking. Both of these scenarios involve technical considerations, but it should be remembered that overly high tax levels result in tax evasion, which lowers government revenue yields. Leslie Pal also defines policy analysis as the disciplined application of intellect to public problems. The process of policy analysis, as a form of multidisciplinary inquiry, is designed to assess, create, and communicate information useful in improving and understanding policies. Policy analysis is important because it ensures that problems are solved through bargaining, experimentation, and exchange, with particular emphasis on the central cognitive aspect. The health sector, for instance, uses policy analysis to help reduce mortality rates and increase staff productivity by improving work conditions (Pal, 2010).

The Multidisciplinary Nature of Policy Analysis

Policy analysis not only makes instrumental recommendations for policy-making but may also analyze the values and argumentation systems underpinning political and social debate. Policy analysts therefore seek to improve the quality of debate by identifying limited or one-sided arguments and by exposing blind spots in those debates. Policy analysis is a means to an end because it gives analysts the opportunity to advise their clients on the most effective strategies for achieving certain goals within a given political context. Policy analysis also makes it easier to understand policy by illustrating the quality of argumentation, enabling individuals to make schematic judgments based on criteria such as logic, justification, and richness of evidence. Argumentative policy analysis is used to produce recommendations and situation improvements for parties who have been talking at cross-purposes for many years.

Reference

Pal, L. A. (2010). Beyond Policy Analysis: Public Issue Management in Turbulent Times (4th ed.). Nelson Press.