Major Public Policy Theories to Know for Intro to Public Policy

Understanding major public policy theories helps us grasp how decisions are made and implemented. These theories, like Incrementalism and Rational Choice, reveal the complexities of policy-making, guiding analysis in public policy and its impact on business and society.

1. Incrementalism

   • Policy changes occur gradually through small adjustments rather than large-scale reforms.
   • Decision-makers often rely on past policies as a reference point, making minor modifications.
   • This approach emphasizes practicality and feasibility over ideal solutions, reducing risks of failure.

2. Rational Choice Theory

   • Assumes individuals act in their self-interest, making decisions based on maximizing utility.
   • Policy analysis involves weighing costs and benefits to determine the most efficient outcomes.
   • It highlights the importance of information and preferences in shaping policy choices.

3. Punctuated Equilibrium Theory

   • Suggests that policy change is characterized by long periods of stability interrupted by short bursts of significant change.
   • Major shifts often occur due to external shocks or changes in public attention and political dynamics.
   • This theory emphasizes the role of agenda-setting in the policy process.

4. Multiple Streams Framework

   • Proposes that policy change occurs when three streams—problems, policies, and politics—converge at a critical moment.
   • Highlights the importance of timing and the role of policy entrepreneurs in seizing opportunities.
   • Suggests that not all problems are addressed simultaneously; some may gain attention while others languish.

5. Advocacy Coalition Framework

   • Focuses on the role of coalitions of actors who share beliefs and work together to influence policy over time.
   • Emphasizes the importance of learning and adaptation within coalitions as they respond to changes in the policy environment.
   • Highlights the interaction between different levels of government and various stakeholders.

6. Policy Diffusion Theory

   • Explains how policies spread across different jurisdictions, influenced by social, economic, and political factors.
   • Identifies mechanisms of diffusion, such as imitation, competition, and learning from others' experiences.
   • Highlights the role of networks and communication in facilitating the spread of policy innovations.

7. Institutional Analysis and Development Framework

   • Examines how institutions shape policy outcomes through rules, norms, and decision-making processes.
   • Focuses on the interactions between individuals and institutions, emphasizing the importance of context.
   • Highlights the role of collective action and governance structures in policy implementation.

8. Social Construction Theory

   • Explores how social perceptions and narratives shape policy agendas and outcomes.
   • Emphasizes the role of identity, framing, and public discourse in influencing policy decisions.
   • Suggests that the way problems and target populations are constructed affects the allocation of resources and support.

9. Policy Feedback Theory

   • Examines how policies influence political behavior and future policy decisions.
   • Suggests that existing policies can create constituencies that support or oppose further changes.
   • Highlights the dynamic relationship between policy design and political outcomes over time.

10. Garbage Can Model

    • Describes decision-making in organizations as chaotic and non-linear, where problems, solutions, and participants are mixed together.
    • Emphasizes the role of chance and timing in policy outcomes, rather than a rational process.
    • Suggests that policies emerge from the confluence of various factors rather than a structured decision-making process.