POLI 359 Public Policy Making Session 3-Prescriptive Models of Public Policy Making Lecturer: Dr. Kuyini Abdulai Mohammed, Dept. of Political Science Contact Information: akmohammed@ug.edu.gh College of Education School of Continuing and Distance Education 2016/2017 godsonug.wordpress.com/blog
Prescriptive Models Prescriptive models stipulate how public policies ought to be made. Prescriptive models of policy making include: Rational Comprehensive Model Incremental Model Mixed Scanning Model Garbage Can Model Normative optimum Model Public Choice Model Slide 2
Rational Comprehensive Model A rational comprehensive approach to decision making involves the following: A problem is identified and well defined. The values, goals, and objectives of the decision makers are made explicit and ranked in order of priority. All options that could achieve the goal are identified. The costs and benefits of each option are then compared. The decision maker chooses the option with the greatest benefits and the least costs. Slide 3
Advantages: Strengths of the Rational Comprehensive Model It is a useful tool of analysis. It helps to identify barriers to rationality. It is the best possible decision making approach. Rational decisions may make either large and basic or limited changes in public policies. It forces decision makers to strive to make decisions that most effectively achieve a given end. Slide 4
Weakness of the Rational Comprehensive Model Decision makers are not faced with concrete, clearly identified problems. It is unrealistic in the intellectual demands on decision makers. Decision maker are faced with value conflict. Decision makers may confuse personal values with public values. There is the problem of sunk cost. Slide 5
Incremental Model/Incrementalism Incrementalism is a decision making model that is characterized by limited analysis. The analysis yields decision that differ only marginally from previous decisions. Incremental decision making is characterized by bargains and concessions among self-interested decision makers. It involves minor changes to existing policies. National budget making is an example of incremental decision making. Slide 6
Characteristics of the Incremental Model Goals and objectives are selected. Empirical analysis to attain the goals are intertwined with rather than separate from each other. Only some of the alternatives for dealing with the problem are considered. For each alternative only a limited number of consequences are evaluated. The problem facing the decision maker is continually redefined. Slide 7
Characteristics of the Incremental Model The model allows for countless ends-means and means-ends adjustment. There is no single or right decision for a problem. The test of a good decision is that various analysts find themselves directly agreeing on it. However, they do not agree that the decision is the most appropriate means to achieve the objective. Incremental decision making is essentially remedial. Slide 8
Advantages of the Incremental Model The incremental process is politically expedient. It reduces risks and costs of uncertainty. It is realistiđ iŷ ređogŷiziŷg the deđisioŷ ŵaker s lađk of information and other resources for acting rationally. It achieves limited, practical and acceptable decisions. Incremental decision is evident in pluralistic societies such as the US. Slide 9
Weakness of the Incremental Model It is too conservative and too focused on the existing order. It is a barrier to innovation which is required for effective policies. In situations of crisis and major changes in decision, it provides no guidelines. It discourages the search for or use of other readily available alternatives. It does not eliminate the need for theory in decision making. Slide 10
Public Choice Model Public choice model is the application of economic analysis to political and social phenomena. It is the economic study of non market decision making. It argues that the behaviour of individuals is towards self- interest maximization. Self-interest of the individual is evident whether in the political or market arenas. Politicians want to maximize votes, bureaucrats strive to maximize departmental budgets, voters maximize personal benefits. Slide 11
PuďliĐ ChoiĐe Model ;ĐoŶt d: People pursue their self-interest both in politics and the market. Even if these interests are selfish, they can mutually benefit through collective decision making. That government itself is a social contract. The contract is between individuals who agree for their mutual benefit to obey law. These individuals obey laws and support government in return for protection. The protection is for their lives, properties and liberties. Slide 12
Characteristics of the Public Choice Model It acknowledges that the state is obligated to perform certain functions the market cannot perform. It rejects the traditional notion that the intent of policy is to serve the public interest. It insists rather that the intent of policy is to serve the interests of politicians It claims that the behaviour of actors is opportunistic. It contends that government is a revenue maximizing leviathan. This means the state gets maximum taxation revenue. Slide 13
Advantages of the Public Choice Model It helps in explaining why political parties fail to provide clear policy alternatives. It has developed its own critique of the simple median-voter model. It contributes to our understanding of interests groups and their influence on public policy. It identifies ways of re-orienting actors towards serving the public interest. Slide 14
Weakness of the Public Choice Model It scores low on moral attractiveness as public policy is modeled only as rent seeking behaviour. The evidence on public choice model is mixed so it is difficult to derive proper test. It tends to over-emphasize the supply side in public policy making. If a demand side argument is raised, tension will arise between it and the supply side argument. Slide 15