OK lets move on to what is policy

Oxford Dictionary Definition of policy

Political Sagacity (mentally penetrating) Prudent conduct Craftiness Course of action followed by a government

Not just governments that have policy

ANU has many including a policy on policies! See http://info.anu.edu.au/policies/Policies/Go vernance/Other/Policy_on_Policies.asp

Policy, bureaucrats, politicians and you

Another definition of policy Australian political system Policy and the public Policy and politicians Policy and bureaucrats

An un-named public servants definition

Policy is

a flimsy raft drifting in a political and administrative current

Implications of this definition

It does not matter how good your idea is it will sink without a trace if it is launched at the wrong time in the wrong current the converse is true unfortunately as well - some pretty stupid poorly thought ideas have become policy as a result of them being launched at the right time

Some definitions from Davis et al 1993, Public policy in Australia,

Allen & Unwin, Sydney

Public policy is the interaction of values, interests and resources, guided through institutions and mediated by politics. Page 15 Policy and politics are not easily separated, since each informs the other. But neither should policy simply be reduced to consideration of the politics of the moment. Page 16

Politics is the essential ingredient for producing workable policies, which are more publicly accountable and politically justifiable . . . While some are uncomfortable with the notion that politics can enhance rational decision-making, preferring to see politics as expediency, it is integral to the processes of deciding defensible outcomes. We are unable to combine values, interests and resources in ways which are not political.

Policy is many things

a goal -- what you're trying to achieve official strategy to achieve something legal framework to manage a resource conscious use of resources to achieve the goal statements/guidelines to follow a goal structure by which you can work (can be for individuals, government or NGOs)

Policy learning
Policy-making is a process of successive approximation to some desired objective in which what is desired itself continues to change under reconsideration. Charles Lindblom 1959:86 The science of muddling through, Public administration review, 19, 2: 79 -- 88

Two crucial issues in making policy work

important to know what you're trying to achieve

democracy and social capital are important to policy process -- policies tend not to work if a dictator just decides what needs to be done

Policy can be ambiguous

A parliamentary bill states policy that may not passed Parliament a White Paper states government policy intentions but these may not be realised a ministerial statement might be policy, or might just be one view on the way to the Govt forming a position

Policy can be ambiguous (cont)

election platforms describe the political party's intentions, but do they state the policy of the resulting government? Is it 'policy' when departmental activities proceed without explicit statement of intent, continuing from government to government, never exciting public interest or political scrutiny?

Policy, bureaucrats, politicians and you

What is policy Australian political system Policy and the public Policy and politicians Policy and bureaucrats

Policy development is an interactive and iterative process between

the public (but more commonly) special interest groups representing elements of the public industry lobby groups bureaucrats politicians (remembering that in Aust we have politicians in three different spheres of Govt, 650 local Govts, 8 state and territory governments and the federal one

Agenda setting is an important part of influencing the policy process

outside initiative model - community groups gain broad public support and get an issue onto the formal agenda issues are the initiative of government which places them on the public agenda in order to successfully implement them inside-access model where policy proposals come from so called policy communities with easy access to government with support from particular interest groups but little public involvement nor often support R. Cobb et al 1976 Agenda building as a comparative political process American Political Science Review 70: 126-138.

Policy and politicians

My experience in government is that when things are non-controversial and beautifully coordinated, there's not much going on John F. Kennedy Politics is not the art of the possible. It consists in choosing between the disastrous and the unpalatable. John Kenneth Galbraith

I am extraordinarily patient, providing I get my own way in the end.

Policy is the means by which the lives of individuals, families and communities are shaped. It is the means by which we reshape the character and future of the nation. It is the purpose of political life, the only worthwhile measure of political success, and by far the most significant measure of the worth of politicians and political parties.

I am extraordinarily patient, providing I get my own way in the end. Margaret Thatcher PM of UK 1979-1990

Policy is the means by which the lives of individuals, families and communities are shaped. It is the means by which we reshape the character and future of the nation. It is the purpose of political life, the only worthwhile measure of political success, and by far the most significant measure of the worth of politicians and political parties. Paul Keating PM of Australia 20 Dec 1991 to 11 March 1996

Policy and bureaucrats

A cynical public servants viewpoint. There are only three types of policy
Policies developed
before, during or after the event

that they are trying to influence

What is the role of Government departments in policy?

The role of Government departments in policy

to formalise the proposal into policy documents to turn the proposal into legislation and to implement the proposal

How is policy put in place

Policy through advocacy Policy though money Policy through government action Policy through law