Policy Making In the Public Interest Introduction & Chapter 1 Serving the Public Interest

Discovering the Public Interest Strategic Planning establishes the community wide public interest to guide policy formation. Sustainability Analysis determines if single issue polices accomplish the public interest. Comparative Analysis used to determine “best” policy among several alternatives. Analysis through each directed to accomplishing public interest. Strategic Planning Sustainability Analysis Comparative Analysis Discovering the Public Interest

Public Policy-What is It? Fulfills the unrealized needs of the public, values held by the public that are not being fulfilled, hopes for the future, and opportunities for improvement.

Political Administrative Dichotomy Formulated by Woodrow Wilson-Father of American Pubic Administration Elected officials formulate policy Appointed officials carry out policies set by legislative branch Political administrative dichotomy is not reality

Professional Associations & Public Interest National League of Cities-Anticipate needs of communities and develop strategies to meet those needs and improve the quality of life National Association of Counties-oriented to community sustainability- therefore the public interest Citizens achieve higher quality of life

Professional Associations & Public Interest ASPA-Code of Ethics-Advance the public interest International City/County Management Association-Chief function is to serve best interests of all people

Policy Orientation for elected Officials Trustee-Look at broad community interests, enlarge narrow individual interests, base policy on broader interest Supported by Founders of U.S. Constitution-James Madison Delegate- Votes according to majority opinion

Policy Orientation for elected Officials Trustee Takes input from constituents, independent research, expert opinion. Survey entire community to identify comprehensive community opinion Look at long term trends and formulates position by weighing all factors. Decision may go opposite of majority position of constituency Voters decide ultimate wisdom of position through elections.

Policy Orientation for elected Officials Delegate Position reflects majority opinion of constituency. Expert opinion or research only important from perspective of how it supports majority opinion. Primarily concerned with not alienating faction(s) that got them elected.

Policy Orientation for Appointed Officials Trustee-Makes recommendation using rational analysis. Citizen opinion only one criterion in decision Delegate-not offer policy guidance or recommendation. Wait for elected body to decide and then implement

Failure of Direct Democracy Direct democracy or plebiscites increasingly popular for determining policy. Direct democracy leads to tyranny by the minority Example- 90% (registered voters)X55% (turnout)X55% (vote for or against an issue)=27% of public decide and control destiny for 100%

Defining the Public Interest Reinventing government, and move to libertarianism has moved government policy more to facilitating a meritocratic, competitive society with lessening of collective rights and values. The public interest holds that society does have collective values and interests. Alexis deTocqueville viewed the nation in the early 19th century and described American as practicing “self-interest rightly understood”. Willingly assist one another and are willing to sacrifice a portion of time and property to the welfare of the state”. Small acts of self denial.

Defining the Public Interest Public Interest is more than interest group liberalism or the aggregation of multiple personal interest, Greater than the benefits derived by society when individuals maximize their self interest. Following are some broad definitions of the public interest.

Defining the Public Interest To do for a community of people, whatever they need to have done. But cannot do at all, or cannot, so well do, for themselves in their separated and individual capacities- Abraham Lincoln   What men would choose if they saw clearly, through rationally, acted disinterestedly and benevolently- Walter Lippmann Outcome best serving the long-run survival and wellbeing of a social collective construed as a public-Barry Bozeman Shared interests and shared responsibility- Janet & Robert Denhardt

Defining the Public Interest The public good, the real welfare of the great body of people, is the supreme object to be pursued-James Madison You are called to defend and preserve the dignity of your fellow citizens in the demanding pursuit of the common good for this is the chief aim of all politics-Pope Francis Public interest centered on the collective identified as the public, involves shared obligations, looks at long term as well as short term objectives.  

Why the Public Interest United States is experiencing a collapse in the public’s confidence in government and other institutions e.g. courts, religious, educational, etc. Ultimate remedy for societal, political chaos is to reconnect citizens and institutions to common values, common needs, and common aspirations. We must begin at the bottom where needs, values, hopes of citizens, and opportunities for improvement are more easily identified. Focusing on community values, needs, hopes , and opportunities represent the public interest.