PADM530Wk2

References Anyebe, A.A. (2018). An overview of approaches to the study of public policy. International Journal of Political Science. 4(1) pp8-17 retrieved June 22, 2021, from https://www.arcjournals.org/pdfs/ijps/v4-i1/2.pdf

Easton, D. (1965). A Systems Analysis of Political Life. New York: Wiley. Foreign Assistance: Selected Agencies’ Monitoring and Evaluation Policies Generally Address Leading Practices (Rep. No. GAO -16- 861R). (2016). Retrieved from https://www.gao.gov/assets/690/680042.pdf

The University of Texas at Austin. (n.d.). The Public Policy Process. Retrieved from http://www.laits.utexas.edu/gov310/PEP/policy/

The Policy Process Defined

The International Journal of Policy Science (https://www.arcjournals.org/pdfs/ijps/v4-i1/2.pdf)has

some good information about these.

As you study theory, remember a hypothesis is a best guess at the answer to a question with an

unknown answer. It is a tentative explanation or an educated guess.  On the other hand, a theory is a

principle that explains phenomena that has already occurred and has been proven.  It is imperative to

remember that they are not the same.

It is important to remember that theories are used to analyze. In this case, they are used to analyze

how public policy is made. Often, more than one theory will apply to a policy decision. First, we will

examine �ve of the more common theories and as we move on from theory to practice. The policy

process model will look at the various stages of the policy process, and the roles and relationships of

policy actors within each stage. This model is the logical sequence of activities regarding any new

public policy, and there are six basic stages of the public policy process.



The Policy Process Model

As we examine policy process, we notice the policy process model examines the stages and roles of the

relationships in each state. 

For the sake of simplicity, we will look at the procedure for federal law. Remember, this may be

somewhat different at the state and local levels.

The University of Texas at Austin (http://www.laits.utexas.edu/gov310/PEP/policy/) shows the

public policy process as a cycle with the most common steps included as:



01 Problem identi�cation

02 Agenda setting

03 Policy making

04 Budgeting

05 Implementation

06 Education

While various sources have countless steps, with many use different names, most follow the same

outlined procedure above. You can begin anywhere in the cycle, but we will begin with the

identi�cation of the problem.  A policy problem exists because there is a need or a dissatisfaction with

the current state of affairs. People begin to look for alternatives and �nd a place on the agenda so the

issue can be presented. Once the issue is on the agenda, those who create policy put the alternative

they wish to implement before Congress and the alternative goes through the process of becoming

accepted.

A detailed description as to how Congress enacts law(s) in how laws are made is designed to assist you

learn about the legislative process.  At the federal level, this process requires congressional and

presidential action as de�ned in Article 1, Section 7 of the U.S. Constitution. While it has become more

complicated with many more details the basic idea is that it has to pass both houses of Congress before

going to the President for a signature. If the President vetoes the bill, it is returned to Congress.

Congress can override that veto by passing the bill again with a two-thirds majority, in which case the

law becomes a law without the President’s signature. The president might also take no action. After

ten days (not including Sundays), the bill becomes a law, but only if congress is still in session.

Complicated, sure!  However, the process is not yet complete.  Congress must further provide

appropriations prior to funds allocated on the new law. This brings issues of its own as the only money

Congress has to spend is money it collects in taxes and fees (generally paid by the people) or borrows

(which increases the debt).  

This leads to implementation of the policy, in which the executive branch carries out the new law. As

the law begins to affect the people, Congress and the General Accounting Of�ce (GAO) evaluate what

they have done. Outside entities, such as think tanks, the media, and citizens also evaluate how the law

has worked or not worked. In addition to examining the intended effects of policy, these groups

examine the unintended consequences. For example, in one area, taxes might be raised so much that

people who are working leave the area in greater numbers than before. This could result in a net loss of

tax income since there are fewer taxpayers to pay the taxes.

Emerging technologies in government

Tomorrow's government today

Emerging technologies create extraordinary opportunities for governments to enhance how they fulfill their missions. But governments will need to continue the pace of modernization by adopting and embracing new technology, or they risk being left behind as the private sector rushes forward. 

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Lorna Stark

National Sector Leader, Government & Public Sector, KPMG LLP

Tomorrow’s government today draws on surveys and interviews with federal and state government leaders and constituents, along with our experience working with public sector organizations. We explore how governments serve a unique role in driving innovation, the forces and investments fueling the next great wave of breakthroughs and how public sector leaders are approaching emerging technologies. View the highlights below and download the full report for the trends, tools, and leading practices that can help governments accelerate their technology-enabled transformation.

Tomorrow’s government today

Dive into our thinking:

Embracing emerging technologies

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Technologically equipped

Leaders show broad confidence. 

1

Technologies with impact

Emerging technologies drive change.

2

Constituent experience

Personalization and efficiency are key.

3

Data and privacy protection

Leaders face the challenge head-on.

4

A future-ready workforce

Tools and training lead strategies.

5

Leaders express confidence in current technology

Ninety-four percent of the leaders surveyed report that their agencies are either well-equipped

or moderately equipped with the technology needed for their mission.

6% of leaders report being poorly-equipped with technology needed for the mission

62% report being moderately-equipped

32% report being well-equipped with technology needed for the mission

Preferences surface for technology implementations

Leaders seek to address current challenges through emerging technologies. They perceive cloud

technologies, generative AI and machine learning as the technologies with the greatest potential

for agency improvement.

1 Cloud Technologies

2 Generative AI

3 Machine Learning

Prioritizing the constituent experience a top goal

Government leaders report that they will prioritize technology use over the next 3 to 5 years to

create services more responsive to constituents, with nearly half very focused on streamlining

and personalizing constituent interactions.

44% of leaders very focused over the next 3-5 years on using technology to streamline and/or personalize the constituent experience

An emphasis on data protection ranks high

Alongside its rewards, digitalization brings new risks, leading to a targeted effort by leaders to

prevent compromised data security and privacy breaches. In fact, 68 percent of leaders list data

protection as a highly focused objective.

68% of leaders very focused over the next 3-5 years on preventing compromised data security and privacy

Building the workforce of tomorrow

With a vision for the future of government, nearly half of leaders are very focused on services

aimed at helping the US workforce become future-ready, such as programs to support upskilling

and reskilling. A combination of emerging technologies and well-structured training will be

required to support that vision.

46% of leaders very focused over the next 3-5 years on supporting upskilling/re- skilling to help the U.S. workforce to be future ready

Our recommendations

Establish or refine the incubation process within your agency

Any agency can adopt aspects of an incubation model within their organization. This requires ensuring practices are flexible enough to encourage prototyping and pilot programs while establishing a disciplined process to refine ideas into secure and cost- effective solutions.

Adapt technologies to your environment with an ecosystem approach 

Many government agencies have access to an abundance of technology products and licenses. The challenge is determining how to effectively utilize technologies and fit solutions into an agency’s unique environment. Avoid treating applications in isolation and instead take an ecosystem approach that maps how technologies fit together and serve an overall purpose.

Determine when to maintain legacy systems or build new ones  

Advanced technologies cannot function without accurate, accessible, and secure data. However, governments often work with data and IT systems that are fragmented or insufficient for the latest technologies and methods. Agencies may benefit from simply building new systems in a cloud environment that will be easier to keep secure and update over time. Consider building new environments using a now-popular modular approach and platforms that can integrate both new and legacy systems.

Cultivate strategic partnerships to strengthen your talent community

Recruiting tech talent is difficult across industries, but the challenges are often amplified for governments. Strategic partnerships can help. We are seeing more agencies develop private-sector working groups to collaborate on shared challenges such as cybersecurity. Agencies can also engage with educational institutions to align on talent training. Interagency rotational programs that encourage upskilling are another option to develop talent.      

Are you prepared to shape the future of innovation and the future of tomorrow?

Download Tomorrow's government today for additional survey results, insights and analysis.

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Overview

Welcome to Week 2.

This week we continue our exploration of public policy by looking at the theories

of politics and public policy. It is important to remember that theories are used to

analyze. In this case, they are used to analyze how public policy is made. Often,

more than one theory will apply to a policy decision. We are going to examine four

of the more common theories. 

Course Objectives

01 CO1: Evaluate the theoretical basis of policymaking process. 

02 CO4: Evaluate the policymaking process.