Discuss two different public policy case studies - Essay Example

The primary objective of this essay is to examine two public policies case studies, taking into account the theoretical foundations of a public policy, concepts and models and any other critical component. Thereafter, the paper will compare these two public policy initiatives in different settings. The paper considers public policy associated with the public interest that is the ‘big picture view’, the need for public servants to commit their energies for the bigger picture, the wider interests.

It also emphasizes the importance of the procedures and tactics for both policy development and public participation; and the commitment and skills required to cooperate with other sectors and the public. The paper proposes that the initial intention of a public policy is that of inclusion, that is every member of a society must be included in the social and economic activities of a system. Development of a Public Policy In the development of a public policy it is important to critically study the content, genesis, rationale and structures of the public policy Ashford (1992, p.354). Further, it is important to achieve an understanding of the people involved in this process and the channel through which public policy is developed.

In outlining the rationale guiding development of a public policy, we begin by the foundations upon which a concept might be established upon, the definition of a public policy. There are numerous definitions of a public policy, but the definition must contain aspects of ideas, values, decisions made and actions taken, pursued or ignored by the relevant authority with respect to the achievement of that idea or plan Braun and Busch (1999, p.61). This if candidly stated would imply choices and decisions taken by a government that will direct actions that might follow from the initial choice or decisions.

Public policies can be split into two classes; there are policies that are already on the public agenda and there are policies that are yet to be formulated. Public policies can also be split into two, a policy can either be regulative or allocative (Harrington, Estes and Crawford 2004, p.7). The policy that is already on the public agenda is already prioritized and the necessary formal stages are in place, on the other hand, any issue that is not on the public policy agenda requires sufficient information and education from all the relevant stakeholders to initiate its development and to oversee its implementation.

Gerston (1997, p.63) suggests that for a public policy to be classified as a public agenda it must meet three criteria , first, the policy must have a wide scope, second the impact of the policy must be felt, this the intensity criterion and finally it must have been developed earlier, the time criterion. Public policies have been formulated for a number of reasons, Blakely and Leigh, (2010, p.127) suggests that public policy satisfy three core reasons reactive, proactive and proactive demands.

Public policy formulation is deemed as reactive when it acts in response to certain issues and demands that are arising, either out of pre-warning or with minimal warning to the relevant authority, external factors or internal factors. The process may entail the plan to resolve that problem or