Public Policy Analysis: A Comprehensive Overview

Posted on Dec 22, 2022 at 10:12 PM

One of the first vital actions governments must undertake is Public Policy Analysis. It helps governments solve a societal problem, address a threat against their people, or even pursue a goal.

The usefulness of Public Policy Analysis and Study stems from the fact that it is the best way first to identify and understand the causes of various economic, political or social problems logically. Second: Benefiting from the public policy analysis by proposing appropriate solutions to formulate and achieve goals.

Accordingly, it is necessary to know the general theoretical path of public policy analysis. This is because of its positive effects on society and its members in all their groups and classes.

In this context and to ensure an understanding of the results of the process of public policy analysis and the methods of its application, we have been keen in this article to cover the meaning and importance of public policy, as well as the steps for its implementation and the application of its general provisions.

What is public policy analysis?

There are many definitions of "public policy analysis" that intellectuals have sought to clarify smoothly. However, the most comprehensive report of it belongs to William Jenkins, who defined it as “a set of interrelated decisions taken by a political actor or group of actors concerning the selection of goals and the means of achieving them within a specified situation where these decisions should, in principle, be within the power of those actors to achieve.” We conclude from Jenkins's definition that these decisions aim to meet some citizens' needs and address their problems or issues.

In short, through a comprehensive public policy analysis, it is possible to develop societies and achieve the satisfaction of people and public or private organisations, especially as it is a process that contributes to the success of business change management theory. Accordingly, the public policy analysis and the implementation are the two necessary processes for the concerned individuals or entities to know the mechanism of their application.

Therefore, we can summarise the role and usefulness of domestic or global public policy analysis in five main components. Here's what:

• Providing high-quality services and goods that are necessary for individuals and that depend on the efforts of the government.
• Resolving problems or conflicts over scarce resources according to sound standards.
• Protect and secure the official rights of individuals and organisations.
• Enhancing cooperation between individuals and society as a whole.
• Achieving a policy of justice and equality among the various groups of society.

What is the methodology used in public policy analysis?

There are several steps and stages of public policy analysis that you should know to achieve the desired results and goals. We can summarise it as follows:

• Defining the problem

It is one of the essential stages of successful public policy analysis. First, we must know the type of problem well, its causes, and estimate its seriousness. This will significantly assist you in the research and data collection process related to the problem you rely on in finding the best solution.

• Evidence collection

For many interested in intellectual theories, evidence collection is one of the essential tools for analysing public or private policy. This step is necessary to build approaches and ideas to help you generalise the problem, assess the ability to confront it, and development decisions as alternatives or solutions.

• Create alternatives

To organise and apply agreed policies to solve problems, the part based on developing solutions should be used for any problem while preparing well and considering the possibility of failure. Since the research on general issues is not subject to error, however, a set of alternative solutions must be developed through which the problem-solving aims to avoid inflating the results of these problems.

• Set the rules

This part of the methodology of public policy analysis in the Arab world and around the globe deals with adopting some rules based on the previous steps of public policy analysis from the perspective of public administration. It is often in the context of coercion and forced to ensure the commitment of all individuals in applying the program for solutions to problems designed in the form of rules and laws.

• Decision-making

Excellent attention and high capacities of rigour and commitment are required in this step. It is the last step in the path of public policy analysis, and the separation between success and failure depends on its application. It indicates the confidence of the political analyst in his plan and his direction toward solving problems or securing some needs. If the analyst does not trust what he relied on in the decision-making process or research-based policies, he will be unable to convince others of it or even impose it on them.

Finally,

Public policy analysis is a powerful tool based on logical criteria and strict rules that can find practical solutions to any social, economic, or political problem.

Accordingly, it was necessary to delve deeper into the studies and reasons related to public policy analysis through basic approaches with practical methods that lead and aim to form an effective political analysis. You can earn this after attending and passing the Public Policy Analysis in London training courses.