I. Policy Process Frameworks/Adoption 1. Discuss the advantages and disadvantage
ID: 1192378 • Letter: I
Question
I. Policy Process Frameworks/Adoption 1. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of relying on interest group theory vs. path (state) dependence in attempting to gain adoption of a policy change for which there is no concentrated interest group. What would be the policy analysis implications of each choice? I. Policy Process Frameworks/Adoption 1. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of relying on interest group theory vs. path (state) dependence in attempting to gain adoption of a policy change for which there is no concentrated interest group. What would be the policy analysis implications of each choice? I. Policy Process Frameworks/Adoption 1. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of relying on interest group theory vs. path (state) dependence in attempting to gain adoption of a policy change for which there is no concentrated interest group. What would be the policy analysis implications of each choice?Explanation / Answer
Interest Group Theory believes that many different interests compete to control government policy, and that their conflicting interests can balance out each other to provide good government. It is a very American theory that is popular with political scientists. It fits well with economic principles such as Adam Smith. Leading advocates are James Madison (Federalist No. 10), Alexis de Tocqueville (1824), Bentley (1905), David Truman (1950), and Robert Dahl (Who Governs?). Its advantages are that it is comparatively neutral as to values and explains process. The theory is also called pluralism because there are many groups.
Aninterest group may be defined as an organized body of individuals who share policy goal and try to influence policy, for example the AFL CIO, the American Bankers Association, the American Medical Association, NRA, the Diabetes Association, the Children's Defense Fund and the NAACP. It differs from a political party in that it does not try to win office. The power of an interest groups comes from its: 1. size (number of members), 2. wealth, 3. organizational strength, 4. leadership, 5. access to decision makers and 6. internal cohesion. Groups form when a disturbance occurs and people come together to resist change. The leader is a policy entrepreneur like Ralph Nader, Lois Gibbs, Clara Barton, or David Brower. Interest groups often lobby in Washington, where their techniques are direct, grass roots, information campaigns and coalition building. Groups sometimes compete with each other, and sometimes cooperate.
The tenets of the theory are that the task of the political system is to manage group conflict by establishing the rules of the game, arranging compromises, enacting the deals into law, enforcing the laws and adjudicating them. Government is like a referee calling the balls and strikes. Public policy is only a temporary equilibrium. Adherents believe that government is held together by: 1. latent group which supports the system, 2. overlapping membership in different groups, 3. checks and balances of group competition and 4. agenda building. Both the group leaders and political scientist believe that situation will remain fluid permanently; no one group will have a permanent victory.
In case where there is no concentrated interest group- Interest group theory will help in voicing opinions of different work groups. Such a policy would be more holistic and cater to multiple groups. Hence, it would be easily acceptable. However, in case of conflict of opinions amongst different interest group it would be difficult to arrive at a common policy for the state, and state intervenetion would become necessary.