PUBLIC POLICY Unit Scope, Criteria & Analysis

What is Public Policy? Addressing public problems. Government (representing citizens) decides to do something/or not to do something in response to public problems. Policy: - “Purposive course of action.” - Decision characterized by behavioural consistency… on whose part? Both Government & Public. Contd..

Public Policy encompasses the following: Goals: Ends to be achieved (to promote public welfare) Plans/Proposal: Means for achieving goals. Programs: Authorized means (Parliament, Govt.) Decisions: Choices/specific action to achieve goals. Policy output: Action taken by govt. to achieve goals. Policy outcome : Effects of action on society.

Government Democratic Setup Central/Federal State/Province Local/Municipality Panchayat ….. (village level) (Devolution of powers –financial, constitutional) Government – refers to institutional & political processes – public choice made through these processes. Such level of govt. may have certain institutions through which decisions are taken.

Criteria for Choice of Policy 1.Effectiveness: Technical & administrative feasibility (how expensive/cheap….is the proposal, does it provide clean energy….can it be adequately implemented?) 2. Efficiency: Cost vs. expected benefit to the society. (economic feasibility, affordability) 3. Equity: Is it equitable choice? Inclusive? Who benefits/gains? Who is allowed to participate ? Is the process open/fair? 4. Political Feasibility: How acceptable is it to: govt., opposition, public, different interest groups/stakeholders? 5. Ethically acceptable. Note: Criteria not necessarily exhaustive. Balancing act to be done. All stakeholders may not be equally happy.

6. Decision : Fractured mandate Coalition politics Incremental Policy making – - Small Steps -Slowly -Minor Amendments, if necessary -Gradual extension of a program Decisions affected by - Public opinion - Public perception - “rally ‘ - round –the –flag ‘ effect popular in USA (emphasizing patriotic feelings at the time of national/international crisis.) Any relevant situation in the Indian context?

-Interpreting policy studies -Steps for analysis Purpose of study? Objective?* Who has conducted the study? Is information sought objective? (reference to nature of problem & possible solutions!) Is information valid? (methods of validity?) Arguments put forward – logical? Convincing? All important matters covered? Policy implications laid down ? How clearly/explicitly? How persuasively? *Refer to stigliz (1986) page 94 – objectives may have political rhetoric. Therefore, look at the way how the “programs are designed & implemented than by looking at the stated objectives of the legislation”