The Role of Public Policy Research Institutions in Policymaking in Tunisia
Public Policy AP Comparative Unit VI. Policymaking Definition The conversion of social interests and...
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Transcript of Public Policy AP Comparative Unit VI. Policymaking Definition The conversion of social interests and...
Public Policy
AP Comparative Unit VI
Policymaking
Definition 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
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
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