PUBLIC POLICY INTRO + WEEK TWO

PUBLIC POLICY: CHP One + Five

Public policy = bound up with actions of the government and consequently the lives of people.    Policy is the most obvious way in which politics affect us, whether inn form of decision to raise or cut taxes, fund a service, alter eligibility requirements for a benefit- or alter the direction of government investment in tertiary education. POLICY decisions determine who gets what, when and how. Also affects who does not receive resources.TES: acknowledges that in a tight fiscal environment, govt is unable to provide significant funding increases to meet the growing demand for tertiary education.

Policy making: a political activity, requiring difficult and often contentious choices over the scope, cost, and design of policies.Thus.. is frequently characterised by heated debates over .. government's role in the economy the values which inform policy decisions  whether or not scarce resources are being disturbed efficiently the effectiveness of policy interventions the appropriate role of the state the economy and individual's lives. 

What Policy-related roles does government play?1. REGULATORY: Government regulates relations between individuals, employees and employers, consumers and producers. 2. ALLOCATIVE: Government influences allocation of resources in the economy -> direct role : provide public goods and services that markets cannot.->indirect influence: using fiscal policy or regulatory policy to encourage certain activities and discourage others. 3. STABILISATION: Government policy helps smooth the business cycle4. Distributive:When income is unequally distributed within a society, governments can choose to redistribute resources to those in need. 

What are the various modes of government intervention?1. Government may coerce (compel certain conduct) induce (through incentives such as subsidies) or use suasion (eg. funding a public campaign to convince people of the health risks associating with smoking). MODES OF GOVERNANCE: authority transaction and persuasion usually about enforcement governments marshal their resources ( legal, fiscal , etc) to regulate, impose and or delivers public goods and services.  Governments requires compliance determines and dries the 'how, what, and where of policy'. Government by transaction Government as persuasion DEFINING POLICY:The 'sum of government activities' ( that have an influence on the lies of citizens'an authoritative response to a public issue or problem''a web of decisions and action that allocate ...values'.PUBLIC POLICY INVOLVES GOVERNMENT:Governments promote legislation, monitor and enforce compliance with the law, directly provide services and increasingly fund service delivery by non statutory organisations.

GOVERNMENT: Numerous individuals ( incl ministers, public servants, members of parliament(MP), and judges, institutes ( cabinet, and other public agencies) who interact in the policy process. MINISTERS:most powerful POLICY ACTORS ( engages with policy process on the basis of a professional or personal interest)POLICY STAKE HOLDER: an individual or organisation with a stake in an issue, who seeks to influence or shape policy developments.MEMBERS OF POLITICAL EXECUTIVE:  Collectively responsible overseeing the governments policy programme and make important decisions  regarding taxation and spending significant new policy developments and proposals for new legislation. 

Some officials also monitor the performance of publicly funded organisations , while others purchase service from non-government agencies (eg. voluntary,  and community sector groups) or evaluate the effectiveness of policy implementation. MP's: = Central to development of public policy:One of their core functions = scrutinise governments policy initiatives on behalf of the citizens they represent.Many of these activities take place in Parliament, select committees, where MP's consider proposed government legislation ( frequently recommended changes). Conduct inquires into the implementation of policyreview the financial performance of department and other public organisations.Provide forum for public debate on range of mattersMembers of public and MP's who sit on the committee have the opportunity to comment on the provisions of legislative proposals, suggests as changes.

MEMBERS OF JUDICIARY:Judges of the highest courts - review activities of government ministers and officials.Judges interpret the meaning of legislation and apply under social, cultural and political circumstances.creates common lawreview the government decisions and actions to ensure powers are exercised by ministers for officials are used legally and properly.PUBLIC POLICY involves DECISIONS to ACT ( and decisions not to act).what governments do decisions to intervene in matters which require government attentionPolicy objective = 1. positive ( rise in economic )or 2. negative ( reduction in the incidence of child abuse).

AIM OF MOST PUBLIC POLICY:bring improvement in a state of affairs.Decision moments:high level decisions'HOW TO' issues and questions which policy makers must address: Design of policy programmes ( what sort of practical assistance will help resolve the issue)The level and scope of service delivery ( how much assistance will be provided , where, when and whom')Eligibility requirements:  who will be entitled to receive support and at what levels? Policy instruments ( will services be delivered through public agencies, markets, or mix of both).

Public policy  entails the commitment of resources:  especially in the implementation phase if the policy decision makes tangible difference in people's lives, the government must provide at best some of the resources required to design and deliver programmes. resources need to publicise new services, pay benefits, remunerate those delivery services, purchase commeditiors, and meet administration costs. GOVT BUDGET:  overall plan for allocation of resources  NZ's govt cannot levy taxes, raise loans or spend public resources without Parliament's permission The government prepares documents structured around specific policy areas called votes and scrutinised by Parliament's select committees following the delivery of the budget. PUBLIC POLICY HAS A NORMATIVE DIMENSION: how things should be decision making is based on own values What constitutes a pressing policy issue? What is the best way of tackling the problem? What  is the appropriate role for the government in solving matters? How much responsibility do individuals and familiies bear for their circumstances?

AS A LABEL FOR A FIELD OF ACTIVITY: Policies concerning economics, health, housing immigration, defence, conversation Within there are more defined areas. SPECIAL PROPOSALS: specific actions that might ben undertaken at some future point maybe linked with achievement , wider goal or stand alone initiatives DECISIONS OF GOVERNMENT: things the government decided to do specific policy proposal constitutes a possible course of action  FORMAL AUTHORISATION: usually in formal, legal status most powerful way i the Act of Parliament -has sovereign law making powers in the highest form, cannot be invalidated by the courts.  most legislation made each year is not passed by Parliament but made by individuals or organisations under the powers which have been delegated to them by Parliament. 

DELEGATED LEGISLATION: given effect through a range of legal instruments including orders in council decees, proclamations, warrants, by-laws. most common are government legislations by the governor general, which are applied to the administration of legislation instead of the questions of broad policy the principle and reviewed by parliament's legislations review the committee. 

POLICY PROGRAMME: 'sphere of government activity involving a particular package of legislation, organisation, and resources. Programme will typically comprise (often set out in legislation)  volume and mix of resources ( human and financial) to be deployed in support of the policy. Specific initiatives to be carried out ( details of which are usually developed by the implementing agency) AS OUTPUT: POLICY OUTPUT= actually delivered defined by public finance as 'goods or services' that are produced by the department, (own agency, office of Parliament, or other person or body.