Structuring Problems and the Policy Agenda

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Structuring Problems and the Policy Agenda

• PSC 314Dr. Joseph StefkoUniversity at Buffalo,
  SUNYSpring 2006

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Reminder The Policy Process

• Stages in the process
• The conveyor belt
• Recognize problem
• Consider alternatives
• Adopt policy
• Implement policy
• Evaluate policy
• Continue/Change/Terminate policy

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What is a policy problem?

• Objective conditions whose existence may be
  established by determining what the facts are
• But is defining a policy problem truly objective?

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What is a policy problem?

• Facts can be interpreted differently they can
  mean different things to different people
• The same piece of information can be a problem
  for one person, and no problem for someone else

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Todays Agenda

• Problem structuring
• Why identifying problems is vital
• Compare types of policy models
• Methods for structuring problems

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The Nature of Policy Problems

• Hugos idea whose time has come
• In public policy
• Change in public opinion
• Mobilization of public opinion
• Trend changes in vital statistics

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The Pre-Decision Process

• PSC tends to focus on the decision-making
  process, not what instigated it
• Why is the pre-decision process so important?

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Policy Problems

• (def) condition or situation that produces needs
  or dissatisfaction on the part of people for
  which relief or redress by government is sought

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Characteristics

• Policy problems are interdependent
• Policy problems are subjective
• Policy problems are artificial
• Policy problems are dynamic

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Problem Structuring

• Phase I The Problem Search
• Discovering a policy problem
• Passive or active process
• Developing a vehicle for policy change

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Problem Structuring

• Phase II Defining the Problem
• Importance of defining in general terms
• Importance of defining in different terms
• Great stakes in defining problems

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Problem Structuring

• Phase III Problem Specification
• Defining its essential nature
• Defining the problem empirically

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Who Pays Attention?

• So, who cares about your problem?
• Govt ignores all kinds of problems
• How can we make govt aware of a problem?

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Making Govt Aware

• 1 Interest Groups
• 2 Indicators
• 3 Focusing Events
• Personal Experiences
• Powerful Symbols
• 4 Feedback

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Government Recognition

• Infinite number of problems
• Cannot deal with everything
• Govt uses a mechanism to filter problems

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The Agenda

• Process of choosing from among problems/issues
  and dealing with specific ones
• Essential step for any public policy issue

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The Agenda

• Definitions
• Set of political controversies
• Whatever government is paying attn to
• Types of agendas
• Systemic agenda
• Institutional agenda

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Setting the Agenda

• Size of the audience is important
• Defining an issue as broadly as possible
• 3 prerequisites
• Widespread attention
• Shared concern
• Shared perception that govt can act

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Setting the Agenda

• Three phases (Davies)
• Initiation
• Diffusion
• Processing

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Models of Agenda Setting

• Outside initiative
• Mobilization
• Inside initiative

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Models of Agenda Setting

• Barbara Nelsons typology
• Issue recognition
• Issue adoption
• Issue prioritization
• Issue maintenance
• A shared perception of govt legitimacy
• A belief in an appropriate response

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According to Kingdon

• Streams of information
• Problem stream
• Policy stream
• Political stream
• Forming policy windows

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Who Sets Agendas?

• Elitist
• Pluralist
• Subgovernment
• A.K.A. The Iron Triangle