Theories of Public Policy

PSCI 253 Week 2

What is a theory?
• “a theory is an explanation of why things happen the way they do”
(Miljan 2014)

-Abstract reasoning based on empirical observation

Also referred to as models or metaphors

All with the goal to simplify reality

“Good” Theories
• Many phenomena, especially in the political world, have multiple,
competing theories

• This does not mean some theories are better than others, rather some are
just different

• However: A good theory “is one that explains the most about a
phenomenon in the simplest way.” (Miljan 2014)
• It is consistent with the facts
• It is parsimonious
• simple
Theories in Public Policy
• Lots of different theories about public policies
• how it should be approached
• the roles of institutions
• who has power
• what kind of outcomes are available
• how policies change

• Ideologies
Theories in Public Policy
• Structuralist
• Outcomes are determined (caused by) the way government and society are
structured
• Marxism, globalism, institutionalism, incrementalism

• Dynamic
• Open to different influences
• Pluralism, game theory
Structuralist theories: Marxism
• Marx
• 1) society is divided into classes
• Social class is determined by means of production

• 2) class is the most important structure and is the reason for political and
economic conflicts

• 3) classes are unequal: bourgeoisie and proletariat

• 4) the state is biased in favour of the capitalist ruling class

Marxism (2)
• All societies have class conflict
• Although it is more obvious in some states than others

• In accepting the idea of class conflict, there is a contradiction in

government’s purpose between being responsive and representative
to the citizens and maintaining business interests
Marxism (3)
• Because of this contradiction, there are two forms of policy:

• 1) Legitimation policies
• Reduce class conflict by redistributing some goods to the lower classes (social
welfare policies)
• Reduces lower class dissatisfaction with capitalist system

• 2) Accumulation policies
• Directly support businesses/capitalism
• Grants, subsidies, tariffs
Marxism (4)
• Therefore:
• Public policies support capitalist system
• Many redistributive policies come at the cost of the state, not businesses,
therefore further indicating a protection of capitalism

• Note: it does not mean that policy makers consciously decide to make
policies to protect the capitalist system
Globalization
• Opening of international trade, global communications, technological
advances, and transportation has reduced the role of the state in policy
making

• Options for policy makers are limited by:

• 1) Large multinational companies
• 2) International institutions

• International institutions like the UN, WTO etc promote international

capitalism by punishing those who do not follow liberal economic policies
and programs
Globalization (2)
• IMF loans often punish governments and force them to reduce
spending on redistribution
• Example: Greece and Ireland after 2008 economic crash

• The structure of international capitalism therefore determines public

policy
Institutionalism
• How state institutions are structured impacts policy outcomes
• Federalism
• Courts
• Constitution
• Bureaucracy
• Etc

• Institutions can create competition

• For example: federalism- provinces are in competition and need to provide
similar services
Incrementalism
• Policy outcomes are the product of small changes made to previous
policies

• Changes are small, slow, and structured by institutions (similar to

institutionalism)

• Charles Lindblom 1959 “Muddling Through”

Incrementalism (2)
• Policy is not made once and for all, but made and remade continually

• But:
• New policies? (PCBs)
• Big changes?
Dynamic Models/Theories

• Dynamic
• Open to different influences
Pluralism
• Pluralism: “An explanation of politics that sees organized interests as
the central fact of political life and explains politics chiefly in terms of
the activities of groups” (Brooks 2015, 562)

• Interest groups influence policy outcomes and government decisions

• Society is a collection of individuals, and each individual has their own

specific interests
• But individuals know that they can achieve more goals if they work together
Pluralism (2)
• Groups then form influence government action

• Public policy is impacted by the competition of different groups

• Groups can enter and exit negotiations- it is fluid and open (not
structured)

• Societal divisions like ethnicity, language, religion, gender, class etc.

can influence the power of groups
Pluralism (3)
• Are all groups equal or at least able to obtain access to the policy
process?

• What groups dominate?

• Therefore: Policies can be influenced by which groups are organized

and powerful and which time.
• AND: new ideas can be brought it at any time
Game Theory

• John Nash

• Helps us understand that no one single person has the power to make decisions,
rather it is about a series of interactions

• For instance- it is not just Actor A completes Action 1

• It is more like, Actor A will complete Action 1 if Actor B does Action 2 and
Actor C does action 5. If Actors B and C do other actions, Actor A’s actions will
change

• Requires players, rules, strategies, payoffs and solutions