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: Anyebe, Adam A.
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Penerbit Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia 2018
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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spelling my-ukm.journal.202932022-10-28T01:30:02Z http://journalarticle.ukm.my/20293/ An overview of approaches to the study of public policy Anyebe, Adam A. 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. Penerbit Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia 2018 Article PeerReviewed application/pdf en http://journalarticle.ukm.my/20293/1/25197-74434-1-SM.pdf Anyebe, Adam A. (2018) An overview of approaches to the study of public policy. e-BANGI: Jurnal Sains Sosial dan Kemanusiaan, 13 (1). pp. 1-14. ISSN 1823-884x https://ejournal.ukm.my/ebangi/issue/view/1083
institution Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia
building Tun Sri Lanang Library
collection Institutional Repository
continent Asia
country Malaysia
content_provider Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia
content_source UKM Journal Article Repository
url_provider http://journalarticle.ukm.my/
language English
description 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.
format Article
author Anyebe, Adam A.
spellingShingle Anyebe, Adam A.
An overview of approaches to the study of public policy
author_facet Anyebe, Adam A.
author_sort Anyebe, Adam A.
title An overview of approaches to the study of public policy
title_short An overview of approaches to the study of public policy
title_full An overview of approaches to the study of public policy
title_fullStr An overview of approaches to the study of public policy
title_full_unstemmed An overview of approaches to the study of public policy
title_sort overview of approaches to the study of public policy
publisher Penerbit Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia
publishDate 2018
url 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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score 13.211869