Public Policy AP Comparative Unit VI

Policymaking Definition What does that mean? The conversion of social interests and demands into authoritative public decisions What does that mean? The final stage in the political process The point at which bills become law, or edicts are issued by the rulers, whoever they are...

Policymaking Question to Ponder… What does it take to change public policy? _____________

Policymaking Question to Ponder… What does it take to change public policy? A majority vote The approval by independent elections executive A decree by monarch, military commission, or politburo The choice of dictator

Policymaking Players and Roles Roles of the Institutions of Government While parties and interest group work at articulating and aggregating interests, government officials, legislators and their staffs do most of the actual implementation and formulation of policy proposals Institutions of government: pass laws, regulations Government agencies: Implementation (the core of policymaking) Interest groups: express demands 2-way process Upward flow of influence and demands Downward flow of decisions from the government Iron triangles and issue networks Iron Triangle

Power and Policymaking Where is power effectively located in the different political systems? Parliamentary systems Consociational Democracies Corporatist Democracies Constitutional Regimes Majoritarian Regimes Legislative Assemblies

Parliamentary Systems Generally are fairly stable governments responsible to the public will Advantages Plurality voting rules with clear party majorities in Parliament with a cabinet and PM responsible to Works well with countries with an ethnically and religiously divided population because it provides a consensual framework in which differing groups can find representation Disadvantages: In parliamentary systems that are coupled with proportional representation (Germany or France) crises are common due to emergence of extremist political parties resulting in cabinet instability and breakdown Example: Great Britain

Consociational Democracies A country with vast differences along ethnic, religious, or linguistical divides. Instead of these governments being controlled by one party, a coalition between similar ideological based parties come together to form a coalition government or coalition cabinet. These nations often have a federal government with powerful state governments, proportional representation, and a rigid well thought out constitution Example: Nigeria

Consociational Democracies Advantages Stable countries where cultural and ideological cleavage and conflict had been intense, and party leaders could agree to disagree on intractable questions while they would build broad coalitions on others, emphasizing rep in policymaking by all major social groups, coalitions etc. Disadvantages Have succeeded in pacifying previously conflictual societies, but when stability has been attained, politicians have often returned to more competitive politics

Corporatist Democracies Businesses within the country help to set limitations on government authority Advantages Economic policy is set by deliberation and bargaining over wages, benefits, prices and social policy between top leaders from labour, management and government More power of negotiation and compromise over conflicts More technical understanding of business models Disadvantages The class struggle between workers and management is so threatening to democratic stability, can be abated by a social partnership Example: Sweden and Austria

Constitutional Regimes Systems in which the powers of various government units are defined and limited by a written constitution, statutes, and/or customs Advantages Inclusion of civil rights, such as the right to a fair trial, freedom to speak, publish and assemble, are protected against government interference except under specified circumstances All written constitutions provide for amending procedures, may vary widely, from the simplest (UK) to the most complex case Disadvantages Some have “rigid” amending procedures (vs. “flexible” amending proc) In cases of extreme centralisation of power an omnipotent dictator, as in Hobbes´Leviathan could arise

Majoritarian Regimes X Power is concentrated at a single point, not divided as in a separation of powers system Advantages Institutions are relatively simple, designed to give power to the reps of the majority of voters Elections take place in plurality single-member districts and tend to produce two-party systems Disadvantages (not really a true disadvantage) Typically can only occur in a homogeneous, culturally unified society example: England

Consensual Regimes These systems provide for power sharing in the executive, requiring that ethnic, religious, or regional groups be represented in the cabinet or legislature Found typically in religiously, linguistically, and ethnically heterogeneous societies Example: Switzerland Advantages Designed to break up and constrain the exercise of powers Disadvantages The majority of citizens may not be fully represented because of the requirement that all groups must be represented

Legislative Assemblies Dates back to ancient Greece and Rome and in Britain back to creation of Parliament in 1295 Almost all contemporary political systems have assemblies senates, chambers, diets, houses, etc., Also may be called “legislatures” or “parliaments” Advantages Requires their approval for major public policies, elected by vote, are at least formally accountable to the citizenry 80% of the countries belonging to the UN have such governmental bodies Disadvantages Long terms and/or no term limits can result in powerful individuals who are unlikely to be defeated

Many thanks to: Dave LaShomb, AP Comparative Institute 