Public Policy Lecture Feedback Response Assignment 5public Policy ✓ Solved

Please answer the following questions regarding policy analysis covered in the reading materials associated with Lecture 10 and 11.

1. What are evaluative criteria for policy making? Why are they used?
2. What two evaluative criteria are most used in policy decisions?
3. Please list the eight (8) evaluative criteria presented in figure 6-1 of the Kraft and Furlong text. Please briefly define each of them.
4. What are the three economic methods used in policy analysis? Please define each of these.
5. In Writing Public Policy by Smith, she discusses why policy should be presented/argued. Please list three of the reasons that she says policy arguments are important and needed.
6. Define incremental policy making, which is the dominant policy making style in the United States.
7. When might incremental policy making be advantageous? When might this style present challenges?

Paper For Above Instructions

Evaluative criteria in policy making are essential standards used to assess the merits of different policy alternatives. These criteria guide policymakers in decision-making processes, ensuring that decisions are informed, relevant, and appropriate for tackling societal issues. Evaluative criteria encompass effectiveness, efficiency, equity, accountability, responsiveness, legitimacy, feasibility, and sustainability (Kraft & Furlong, 2019). Effectiveness measures how well a policy achieves its intended outcomes, while efficiency relates to the cost-effectiveness of achieving those outcomes. Equity focuses on fairness in the distribution of resources and benefits, whereas accountability ensures that policymakers are answerable to stakeholders. Responsiveness assesses how well a policy addresses public needs, and legitimacy considers whether the policy is accepted as appropriate by society. Lastly, feasibility examines the practical aspects of implementing a policy, and sustainability evaluates the long-term viability of policies within societal and environmental contexts.

The two evaluative criteria most frequently used in policy decisions are effectiveness and efficiency. These criteria serve as primary benchmarks, allowing policymakers to determine how successfully a policy can achieve its goals while optimizing resource use (Kraft & Furlong, 2019). For instance, a proposed healthcare policy must not only provide improved health outcomes (effectiveness) but also do so in a manner that maximizes the use of available funds and resources (efficiency).

In the Kraft and Furlong text, eight evaluative criteria are presented in Figure 6-1. These are:

1. Effectiveness: The extent to which a policy achieves its stated goals.
2. Efficiency: The relationship between the outputs produced by a policy and the resources used to achieve those outputs.
3. Equity: The fairness or justice of a policy's effects on different groups in society.
4. Accountability: The obligation of policymakers to inform and justify their decisions to the public.
5. Responsiveness: The ability of policy to adapt to the changing needs and preferences of the public.
6. Legitimacy: The perception that a policy is appropriate and justified by the public and other stakeholders.
7. Feasibility: The practical considerations surrounding the implementation of a policy.
8. Sustainability: The potential for a policy to endure over time while maintaining its effectiveness and efficiency.

In policy analysis, three economic methods are commonly employed: cost-benefit analysis, cost-effectiveness analysis, and budget analysis. Cost-benefit analysis evaluates the, costs and benefits of a policy in monetary terms, allowing policymakers to determine whether the benefits outweigh the costs (Boardman et al., 2018). Cost-effectiveness analysis, on the other hand, compares the relative costs of achieving specific outcomes across different policies, focusing on the most efficient way to achieve a desired effect without assigning monetary values to those outcomes (Drummond et al., 2015). Budget analysis examines how financial resources are allocated within a policy framework, ensuring that spending aligns with policy goals and objectives (Mikesell, 2018).

In her book, "Writing Public Policy," Smith emphasizes the importance of presenting and arguing for policies, highlighting three key reasons. Firstly, policy arguments provide clarity and structure to complex issues, making them more accessible to stakeholders (Smith, 2020). Secondly, these arguments foster engagement and participation among citizens and stakeholders, encouraging a democratic discourse on policy matters. Lastly, presenting well-formed policy arguments bolsters the legitimacy of decisions made by policymakers, reinforcing public trust and confidence in government actions.

Incremental policy making refers to a gradual and stepwise approach to policy development, characterized by small adjustments rather than large-scale reforms. This style is dominant in the United States and reflects a cautious strategy that avoids radical shifts (Lindblom, 1959). Incrementalism is advantageous as it allows policymakers to test solutions in the real world, learn from the outcomes, and make adjustments as necessary. Moreover, this approach minimizes the risk of widespread failure, fostering stability within policy environments.

However, incremental policy making also presents challenges. This method may lead to stagnation as significant problems are left unaddressed due to a focus on minor adjustments (Kraft & Furlong, 2019). Additionally, incrementalism can hinder innovation since policymakers may be reluctant to adopt more creative or comprehensive solutions, favoring familiar paths instead. Finally, the reliance on incremental changes may obscure the underlying issues that require more substantial reforms, leading to a superficial approach to policy challenges.

References

• Boardman, A. E., Greenberg, D. H., Vining, A. R., & Weimer, D. L. (2018). Cost-Benefit Analysis: Concepts and Practice. Cambridge University Press.
• Drummond, M. F., Sculpher, M. J., Torrance, G. W., O'Brien, B. J., & Stoddart, G. L. (2015). Methods for the Economic Evaluation of Health Care Programmes. Oxford University Press.
• Kraft, M. E., & Furlong, S. R. (2019). Public Policy: Politics, Analysis, and Alternatives (6th ed.). CQ Press.
• Lindblom, C. E. (1959). The Science of "Muddling Through". Public Administration Review, 19(2), 79-88.
• Mikesell, J. L. (2018). Fiscal Administrations (9th ed.). Cengage Learning.
• Smith, S. R. (2020). Writing Public Policy. Rowman & Littlefield.