Research Proposal on "Public Policy: Criteria for Determination"

Research Proposal 5 pages (1451 words) Sources: 6 Style: MLA

[EXCERPT] . . . .

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… READ MORE

How to Reference "Public Policy: Criteria for Determination" Research Proposal in a Bibliography

Related Research Proposals:

Public Sphere Research Paper

Public Sphere

Democratic governance relates to the capacity and opportunity available at the disposal of the citizens for the purposes of engagement in enlightened debate or discussion. Public sphere refers… read more

Research Paper 12 pages (4077 words) Sources: 10 Topic: Government / Politics

---

Public Policy Tourism Public Policy Orientation Essay

Public Policy Tourism

Public Policy Orientation and Tourism in Costa Rica

Just 20 years ago, Costa Rica scarcely registered in a discussion on global tourism. A small republic most noted… read more

Essay 10 pages (2941 words) Sources: 10 Style: Harvard Topic: Latin America / Mexico / Caribbean

---

Public Services Management According to Hood (1991) Term Paper

Public Services Management According to Hood (1991)

According to Hood (1991) the New Public Management (NPM) has come to represent a global phenomenon. This work will answer what the main… read more

Term Paper 14 pages (4690 words) Sources: 1+ Topic: Management / Organizations

---

Central Banks Dissertation

Central Banks

What criteria are, and have been, used to determine monetary policy. Examine the evidence for and against the view that central banks can control inflation. Should central bank's… read more

Dissertation 35 pages (10788 words) Sources: 15 Topic: Economics / Finance / Banking

---

7 Public Health Versus Privacy Rights HIV Testing and AIDS Intervention Case Study

Public Health vs. Privacy Rights: HIV Testing and AIDS Intervention

Case #7

What's the story? What "circumstances of the action" and "conditions of the agents" should be kept especially in… read more

Case Study 2 pages (580 words) Sources: 1 Style: APA Topic: Disease / Virus / Disorder / Injury

---

View 100+ more related papers  >>