More on Sources of Public Policy
The Story So Far
By recognizing responsibility-G1 people naturally participate in the 7 arenas of social/political commitment…
…which are sustained and constrained by those who feel obligated to use pressure to make a difference:
In undertaking political work-G2, these political players become adept at using some of the 6 instruments of influence…
…which are sustained and constrained by self-interestedly taking advantage of emerging crises:
In driving political mobilization-G3, political organizers harness one or more of the 5 outcomes of crises…
…which are sustained and constrained by formally exploring distinct perspectives on policy:
In resolving political differences-G4, government and society expect to benefit from 4 sources of policy ideas…
…now read on:
The focus here is to clarify how different political responsibilities-G1 get incorporated within each source of policy and so shape what we can expect of it.
Public Inquiry (CG-44)
Function
To produce realistic, evidence-based policy proposals which can command public support
by using
available and specially collected information, commissioning expert investigations
as well as
accepting reports and evidence from the public, interest groups and other relevant parties.
See the Structure
Other Arenas: The inquiry is not specifically driven by group power-L1. It does not engage with official decisions-L3. Rule of law-L2 is not particularly relevant during the inquiry, and recommendations may or may not indicate new legislation.
Think-Tank Reports (CG-43)
Function
To produce coherent policy proposals that are claimed to be necessary and beneficial, because of the starting assumptions (underlying paradigm or discipline) and the method of inquiry,
by using
in-house extensive and intensive research inquiries,
as well as
ongoing literature review, analyses and evaluation of existing public policies.
See the Structure
Other Arenas: Think-tanks may be affected by group power-L1 e.g. their funding source, but their reports seek and claim to stand above society’s power-struggle as statements «akin to the truth». Rule of law-L2 is not an issue, and communal needs-L7 play no role given the emphasis on defining the public interest-L5.
Departmental Paper (CG-42)
Function
To produce policy proposals that the government can fully control and claim as viable and necessary
by using
government staff, departmental data and confidential sources of advice and information.
See the Structure
Other Arenas: Government departments or agencies are not defined by group power-L1. Moral institutions-L6 and communal needs-L7 may be referred to in statements in support of the policy ideas (i.e. as political pressure-G2), but they are not used to produce the policy paper.
Vested Interest Proposals (CG-41)
Function
To produce policy proposals that are feasible and desired by the vested interest—if industry, to reduce their risk &/or increase their profits; if advocacy, to pursue and establish their values
by using
public data, industry data, basic investigations, ongoing analyses of social circumstances and evaluation of current public policies.
See the Structure
Other Arenas: Vested interest proposals cannot consider the wider public interest-L5; they tend to avoid moral institutions-L6; and they have no brief to address the overall or general needs of the community-L7.
Getting to Grips with Policy Documents
As should have been evident, a politically-motivated person cannot easily get ideas into policy documents. It is necessary to become formally part of one of the four systems that produce such papers. It is also rather difficult for an outsider to grapple with policy documents, once they are produced.
Formal inquiries ensure that methodical investigations of problematic situations in society are properly carried out. Issues around practically implementing recommendations are also usually considered. Read more about sound inquiry methods.
Policy documents once produced are available for comment from any interested group or person as part of consultation. However, studying and appraising the documents, often with numerous technical Appendices, is usually rather difficult, even for experts.
Appraisal is difficult because any worthwhile recommendations to deal with societal complexities are themselves inherently complex—which was why they needed handling in a formal way.
Powerful groups often have specialists employed to study policies, and their responses are naturally given due attention. Because a person does not exist for society, respect by authorities for any single person’s comments, however pertinent or wise, is usually negligible.
Hidden Fundamentals shape Policy Proposals
The method and people chosen for developing public policy often seem to determine the outcome far more than social realities, communal aspirations or practical possibilities.
Quite apart from any deliberate bias, ideological intrusion or deliberate sabotage, any policy recommendation based on inquiry will be affected by:
There may be limited awareness of either of these two psychosocial factors.
Originally posted: August-2009; Last updated: 15-Nov-2011