Public Policy Problems

Public Policy Problems Dye (2010 p.4) explains policy analysis as the process of getting to know the activities of governments, why they have to undertake such events, and the difference they realize from the activities. Policy analysis is primarily concerned with an explanation as opposed to the prescription of policy matters.Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on Public Policy Problems specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More It involves a rigorous investigation into the causes of public policies and the associated consequences. Generally, policy analysis includes an effort to come up with and test propositions about events and activities that lead to public policy and the consequences thereof, to collect enough and reliable findings from a research activity of significant relevance (Dye, 2010, p.5). According to Jans (2007) public policy is concerned with the public and the problems it faces, that is, how the issues and problems are describe d and constructed, how they fit in the policy and political agenda, how options in policymaking emerge, why governments act or fail to work and the effects of the system. Through policy analysis, it becomes possible to describe, using factual information, what a given government is doing, and what it is not doing. Policy analysis also sets the platform for an inquiry into determinants and causes of particular public policy issues. From the established causes and determinants, the consequences and impacts of public policy can be inquired, including evaluation of the system in a clear and precise way (Dye, 2010, p.6). Policy analysis reveals time and context as the significant determinants of the government agenda; for instance, similar agenda items are likely to be prioritized in states whose welfare levels are identical. Moreover, issues are determined by economic cycles, for example, flexibility in labor terms and increase in efficiency alleviates public crises while the improved q uality of life and enhanced worker welfare leads to overall growth in the economy (Jans, 2007). Generally, issues that conform to the policy paradigm that is, the leading policy ideas determine the policy that is adopted by the government at a given time. Policy analysis culminates in the understanding of public policy. It is both an art and a craft. As an art, it requires creativity, imagination, and insight in identification and description of problems in the society, in coming up with public policies to alleviate the issues, and in determining whether the systems improve the state of things or not. As a craft, policy analysis requires a broad knowledge base in economics, public administration, political science, psychology, sociology, statistics, engineering, law, natural sciences, and others. Policy analysis is, in fact, an applied subfield that encompasses all the above traditional academic disciplines (Dye, 2010, p.8).Advertising Looking for research paper on governmen t? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More For the policymakers to perfect their craft to come up with policies that will improve the society, they need to bring together technocrats from the various fields to work together in the process of policy formulation and implementation. Policymakers from different areas will view the public problems from multiple dimensions hence solve the issues more comprehensively. Participation of technocrats from multiple areas of specialization, therefore, is an effective way of ensuring the craft of policymaking is perfected. Moreover, the policymaking process should be reviewed and scrutinized through public participation and incremental development. Policy analysis has limitations that include subjectivity in interpretation, the possibility of disagreeing over policy problems, defects in the design of human research and the fact that government power on policy is limited and human behavior is comp licated. References Dye, T.R. (2010). Understanding Public Policy (13th Ed.). Longman: Pearson Prentice Hall. Jans, M. T. (2007). A framework for public policy analysis and policy evaluation. Brussels: Vrije University