POSC 101 Introduction to Public Policy

POSC 101 Introduction to Public Policy School of Social Sciences Singapore Management University 2014-2015 Term 2 Assistant Professor Yooil Bae http://www.mysmu.edu/faculty/yooilbae/default.htm Class session: Monday /Thursday 3.30 – 6.45 p.m. Teaching Assistant: Ian WU (Monday) Eric Tan (Thursday) Office: SOSS 04-96 Telephone: 6828-1901 Email: [email protected] Office Hour: M, TH 12:00-2 p.m. or By appointment Course Overview: This course examines the major theoretical debates and practices involved in the development of public policy. Public policymaking is characterized by scholars and politicians in wide variety of ways. For some, public policy reflects the authoritative allocation of values, while other see the policymaking process from a more bottom line perspective – “who gets what, when, and how.” At the same time, policymakers and citizens often wrestle with normative questions of what constitutes the “best” policy outcomes for the most people as they strive to reach the right balance between government intervention and citizens’ rights to the pursuit of happiness. However, in many cases we face several problems in understanding public policy issues: Not all citizens are ‘angels’ – rather, they are highly self-interested in many cases. Not all citizens have information regarding what government agencies do and how they decide public policies. Public policies broadly reflect social norms and values, but also the day-to-day rules and regulations established by governments at all levels. In order to understand these multifaceted aspects of public policy, this course will provide students with an analytical and intellectual framework for developing their own perspectives to questions such as: why, when, and how should government intervene in our lives? How is public policy made? How can systematic analysis play a constructive role in policy making? What are the most effective roles of non-governmental organizations and markets? In concluding section of the course, we will be pursuing specific policy domains – economic policy, welfare and social policy, environmental policy, and newly emerging policies such as immigration and health policies. Course Objectives: This course aims to familiarize students with major theoretical approaches to and issues in understanding public policy. Specifically, students will be encouraged: To acquire knowledge and understanding of the basic concepts, which inform theoretical and empirical discussion of public policymaking process, key stakeholders and specific policy, issues. To identify the relevant criteria needed to choose the best policy, including those related to political power. To identify policy problems and possible answers, and recommend alternative solutions through research and discussion. To understand how to compare different nations, institutions, and value systems in similar or different contexts, which require substantial knowledge and skills of studying public policy issues comparatively. Class Sessions: The course is scheduled to meet for three hours each week (except week 8 (recess), revision week, and final week). Individual or group presentations, discussions, quizzes, and other activities will be followed by my overview lecture each week. Assessment and Evaluation Policy: The requirements for students are: Class participation 10% Group Presentation 15% Mid-term Examination (Week 7) 25% Final Essay 20% Final Examination 30% Class participation: Each student is expected to participate fully in class activities and discussions. From time to time, a certain type of assignment or quizzes will be assigned. Students who contribute to class discussion through their comments, suggestions. Reading and understanding the assigned reading is essential. ***Please note that such things are using laptop computer for web surfing and doing other classes’ homework are not allowed. Violation of this class policy will be penalized. Medical certificate will be accepted only twice. Group Presentation: Students will be divided into several groups. Each group will be asked to sign up for group presentation in a selected week and prepare group presentation (15%). For example, if your group chooses Week 3 (Outsiders of Government) and Environmental Policy in Singapore or elsewhere, you may give presentation about non-governmental organizations in Singapore’s environmental policymaking. Specific topics will be advised upon requests. Examples of public policy areas are: Development Policy, Economic Policy, Education Policy, Regulation Policy (any kind), Environmental Policy, Welfare Policy, Cultural Policy (including Mass Media Policy), Social Policy, Business-related Policy (e.g. Anti-trust), Internet Policy, Gun Control, etc. To do this, you have to be familiarized assigned readings as well as newspapers. Always pay attention to current affairs that might be analyzed by our theoretical perspectives and theories. Midterm Exam: This includes online examination (15%, TBA with a study guide) and a public policy challenge paper (10%). * Note on ‘public policy challenge paper: Your are required to choose one of the most challenging policy issue in contemporary Singapore, East Asia, developing countries, or global community. Assuming you’re running for a political office, diagnose a policy problem, discuss and compare policy alternatives, and draw your conclusion in two pages. Use bullet points so that readers can understand easily. Due on Friday 12 p.m. of Week 8 (February 24, 2015). **If successful, you can develop your thesis for final paper. Final Essay: Based on class materials and additional research, you are required to write a paper on public policy issues. You can extend your group project paper but it must be much more sophisticated, well organized, theory-driven, 3,000 words research paper. Final Essay is 20% of your final grade and due in Week 14. Late paper will be penalized. Required Readings: All assigned readings are required. Because they are background to the classes, they should be done prior to the dates given and the classes that will use them. No textbook is required for this course but additional readings will be made available in the form of e-journals and e-book chapters (PDF files or URL will be provided through E-Learn). The following is the major journals in the field of public policy. Policy Studies Journal; Journal of Public Policy; European Journal of Public Policy; Governance: An International Journal of Policy and Administration; Policy and Politics; Environment and Planning C: Journal of Public Administration Research and Theory; Public Administration Review; Asian Journal of Political Science; Asian Journal of Public Administration, etc. Plagiarism and Code of Conduct: Plagiarism: Plagiarism in the SMU Code of Academic Integrity is defined as, “using the ideas, data, or language of another without specific or proper acknowledgment.” This includes the use of research conducted by others (including copying your own previous work) without attribution. If you use in your paper evidence or facts from someone else’s work, you must provide proper citations for this. I will review in class how to do this. Examples of proper citation can also be found in the course pack. If you have any doubts about this, please see me. While I will serve as a resource, it is ultimately your responsibility to cite your sources correctly. Academic Integrity: Please review the university guidelines, including the Code of Student Conduct and the Code of Academic Integrity which can be found at: https://intranet.smu.edu.sg/dos/scd/. Students are expected to abide by these codes. Weekly Topics: PART (1) Introduction to Public Policy: “What, When, and Who?” January 5th (Group 1) / January 8th (Group 2): Introduction and Organizational Meeting (Week 1) No required reading for this week. Instead, please think about the difference and similarity between public and private organizations. Also think about the question, “why do we need government and public policy?” Skim the following book’s Chapter 1 (reserved, LKC Library): John W. Kingdon (2003). Agendas, Alternatives, and Public Policies (2nd edition), New York: Longman, Chapter 1. January 12th (Group 1) / January 15th (Group 2): What Governments Do and Why They Do It? What are Public Policies? (Week 2) When there is a problem, a solution is required. The classic debate about the division between the polis and the market has been dominated policy studies literature. What governments (or markets) do and why they do it? We start with comparing nature of government and market, and exploring motivation for governmental actions. We also discuss types and forms of public policies. This week will deal with essential concepts and definitions in studying public policy. Stone, Deborah (2002). Policy Paradox: The Art of Political Decision Making (Revised Edition). New York: W. W. Norton, p.17-34 (“The Market and the Polis”). Wilson, James (1991). Bureaucracy: What Government Agencies Do and Why They Do It? New York: Basic Books, p.346-364. [Recommended] Birkland, Thomas A. (2005). An Introduction to the Policy Process (2nd Edition). New York: M. E. Sharpe, Chapter 6, “Policies and Policy Types.” January 19th (Group 1) / January 22nd (Group 2): Governing Institutions and Public Policy (Week 3) It is important to know participants of policy process. In particular, understanding the logic of inside politics of government over specific policy issues is critical, because there are various sets of participants and decision makers in different contexts of countries. Mainly based on the experience of the U.S., this week will explore the inside participants of public policymaking including president, congress, bureaucrats, and so forth. Kingdon, John W. (2003). Agendas, Alternatives, and Public Policies (2nd edition), New York: Longman, p.21-44. Muramatsu Micho and Ellis S. Krauss (1984). “Bureaucrats and Politicians in Policymaking: The Case of Japan.” American Political Science Review 78 (1): 126 – 146, online access at http://www.jstor.org/stable/1961253 Jon T. S. Quah (1984). “The Public Policy-making Process in Singapore,” Asian Journal of Public Administration 6 (2): 108 – 126, online access at http://sunzi1.lib.hku.hk/hkjo/view/50/5000223.pdf [Recommended] Moon, M. Jae and Patricia Ingraham (1998). Shaping Administrative Reform and Governance: An Examination of the Political Nexus Triads in Three Asian Countries. Governance: An International Journal of Policy and Administration 11 (1): 77-100, online access at http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/0952-1895.581998058/pdf January 26th (Group 1) / January 29th (Group 2): Policy Actors outside of Government (Week 4) Traditional American politics literature has always emphasized the importance of non-governmental participants of public policy. Even American founding fathers worried about the emergence of powerful mob in policymaking process and designed several ‘checks and balance systems.’ In addition, new literatures in the field of public administration and public policy started to highlight policy communities, networks, and public-private partnerships. This week will explore how these bottom-up perspectives change the traditional picture of public policymaking. Leong, Ho Khai. (2000). “Citizen Participation and Policy Making in Singapore: Conditions and Predicaments.” Asian Survey 40 (3): 436 – 455. SMU intranet access at http://www.jstor.org/stable/3021155 Peter H. Schuck (1977). “Public Interest Groups and the Policy Process,” Public Administration Review 37 (2): 132 – 140, online access at http://www.jstor.org/stable/974325 Stone, Diane (2008). “Global Public Policy, Transnational Policy Communities, and Their Networks.” Policy Studies Journal 36 (1): 19 – 38 online access at http://proquest.umi.com.libproxy.smu.edu.sg/pqdlink?index=0&did=1435823471&SrchMode=1&sid=1&Fmt=6&VInst=PROD&VType=PQD&RQT=309&VName=PQD&TS=1289354607&clientId=44274 [Recommended] Edward S. Herman (2003). “The Propaganda Model: The Retrospective,” online access at http://www.chomsky.info/onchomsky/20031209.htm (**strongly recommend to skim this online article). PART (2) The Process of Public Policymaking February 2nd (Group 1) / February 5th (Group 2): Political Power, Agenda Setting, and Seeking Policy Alternatives (Week 5) Not all problems become a governmental policy agenda. Agenda setting is a process by which problems and alternative solutions gain close public and elite attention. We will discuss conditions and levels of agenda-setting and explore how different perspectives on political power view agenda-setting process differently. Peter Bachrach and Morton S. Baratz (1962). Two Faces of Power. American Political Science Review 56 (4): 947 – 952, online access at http://www.jstor.org/stable/1952796 Lester, James P. and Joseph Stewart Jr. (2000). Public Policy: An Evolutionary Approach (2nd Edition), p.66-86. Kraft, Michael E. and Scott R. Furlong. (2010). Public Policy: Politics, Analysis, and Alternatives (3rd Edition), Washington D.C.: CQ Press, pp.150-183. February 9th (Group 1) / February 12th (Group 2): Models of Policymaking: From Cognitive to Political Models (Week 6) Explore various models of policy-making. Traditional approaches mostly focus on individual cognitive aspects of decision-making (e.g. rational, bounded-rational model), while other models pay attention to more external environment or relationship among political actors (e.g. political model, bargaining model, incremental model, etc.). Birkland, Thomas A. (2005). An Introduction to the Policy Process: Theories, Concepts, and Models of Public Policymaking (2nd Edition). New York: M. E. Sharpe, p.200-232. Paul A. Sabatier (1991). “Toward the Better Theories of the Policy Processes.” PS: Political Science and Politics 24 (2): 141 – 156, online access at http://www.jstor.org/stable/419923 Jones, Bryan D. and Frank R. Baumgartner (2008). The Politics of Attention: How Government Prioritizes Problems. Chicago: Chicago University Press, pp.1-20. February 16th (Group 1) / February 19 (Group 2): Mid-term Examination (Week 7) Mid-term examination (Online) February 23th - 28th: Recess Week ***Public Policy Challenge paper due (24th, 12 p.m.) March 2nd (Group 1) / March 5th (Group 2): Policy Implementation and Evaluation (Week 9) Making public policies is not the end. This week’s topic will deal with several issues of policy implementation and evaluation including administrative rule-making, top-down and bottom up implementation process, policy failure, and so on. We also discuss the importance of policy evaluation and learning. Anderson, James E. (2000). Public Policymaking: An Introduction (4th Edition). New York: Houghton Mifflin Company, p.201-260. Sabatier, Paul A. (1986). “Top-down and Bottom-up Approaches to Implementation Research: A Critical Analysis and Suggested Synthesis.” Journal of Public Policy 6 (1), p.21-48. March 9th (Group 1) / March 12th (Group 2): Policy Stability, Policy Diffusion (Transfer), and Policy Change (Week 10) Evaluation and feedback is the end of “official” policymaking process. But, in fact, it’s not the end. What if policies fail to address problems and issues? What if policies produce some side effects? This week explores the idea of policy change. Dolowitz, David P. and David Marsh (2000). Learning from Abroad: The Role of Policy Transfer in Contemporary Policy-Making. Governance 13(1): 5-24, online access at http://ehis.ebscohost.com/eds/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?vid=2&sid=878ac5cf-4157-45de-aaf5-55983e0f55d8%40sessionmgr4002&hid=4108 Weyland, Kurt (2006). Bounded Rationality and Policy Diffusion: Social Sector Reform in Latin America. Princeton: Princeton University Press, p.1-14. Birkland, Thomas (2007). Lessons of Disaster: Policy Change after Catastrophic Events. Washington D.C.: Georgetown University Press, Chapter 2. PART (3) Issues in Public Policies March 16th (Group 1) / March 19th (Group 2): Globalization, Liberalization, Economic Policies (Week 11) The topic of this week is the first substantive (topical) policy one, exploring the power of the government to influence the economy. The week concentrates on the major economic policy goals: economic growth, low unemployment and inflation levels, positive trade balances, and deficit and debt management. It then discusses fiscal tools (taxing and spending decisions), monetary tools (those used by the Federal Reserve Board), and others before addressing tax policy more directly. Dodds, Anneliese (2013). Comparative Public Policy. New York: Palgrave Macmillan, p.49-82 (Chapter 3). Nelson, Robert H. (1987). “The Economics Profession and the Making of Public Policy.” Journal of Economic Literature 25(1): 49-91 (Read 49-71, and skim 71-91), online access at http://www.jstor.org/stable/2726190 March 23rd (Group 1) / March 26th (Group 2): Welfare State and Social Policy (Week 12) Piven, Frances Fox (2001). “Globalization, American Politics, and Welfare Policy.” The Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science 577 (1), p.26-37, online access at http://ann.sagepub.com/content/577/1/26.abstract Ian Holiday (2000). “Productivist Welfare Capitalism: Social Policy in East Asia.” Political Studies 48: 706 – 723, online access at http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/1467-9248.00279/pdf March 30th (Group 1) / April 2nd (Group 2): Environmental Policies and Other New Policy Issues (Week 13) Carter, Neil (2007). The Politics of the Environment: Ideas, Activism, Policy (2nd Edition). New York: Cambridge University Press, pp.173-206. Kate Urwin and Andrew Jordan (2008). “Does public policy support or undermine climate change adaptation? Exploring policy interplay across different scales of governance,” Global Environmental Change 18 (1): 180 – 191, online access at http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=ArticleURL&_udi=B6VFV-4R0CPWH-1&_user=1047253&_coverDate=02%2F29%2F2008&_rdoc=1&_fmt=high&_orig=search&_origin=search&_sort=d&_docanchor=&view=c&_searchStrId=1533150950&_rerunOrigin=scholar.google&_acct=C000050919&_version=1&_urlVersion=0&_userid=1047253&md5=4acf594837a0b02938e77a483261a030&searchtype=a April 6th : Revision Week (Week 14) Week 15: Final Examination TBA PAGE 8