An overview of approaches to the study of public policy
Political and social scientists have developed many theories, models and approaches for analysing policy-making. The theoretical approaches include elite theory, group theory, political systems theory and institutionalism, policy output analysis, incremental theory and rational-choice theory w...
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| Main Author: | |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Penerbit Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia
2018
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| Online Access: | http://journalarticle.ukm.my/20293/1/25197-74434-1-SM.pdf http://journalarticle.ukm.my/20293/ https://ejournal.ukm.my/ebangi/issue/view/1083 |
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| Summary: | Political and social scientists have developed many theories, models and
approaches for analysing policy-making. The theoretical approaches include elite
theory, group theory, political systems theory and institutionalism, policy output
analysis, incremental theory and rational-choice theory which are primarily
concerned with public policy-making as a process. This paper therefore, attempts
to examine each theory, pointing out its strengths and limitations. The study relied
heavily on secondary sources for data collection. The paper reveals that one
cannot authoritatively see which of these theoretical approaches is the best or the
most satisfactory as each approach focuses on different aspects of policy-making,
and this seems more useful for understanding some situations or events than
others. It seems wise not to be bound too dogmatically to one approach. A good
rule for the policy maker is to be eclectic and flexible, and to draw from theories
that seem most useful for the satisfactory and fair-minded description and
explanation of policies. The objective explanation of political behaviour rather
than the validation of one’s preferred theoretical approach should be the goal of
political inquiry. Each of the theories discussed, if drawn upon skilfully and
selectively, can contribute to a better understanding of policy-making. |
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