1. Public Policy
AP Comparative Unit VI

2. Policymaking Definition What does that mean?
The conversion of social interests and demands into authoritative public decisions
What does that mean?
The final stage in the political process
The point at which bills become law, or edicts are issued by the rulers, whoever they are...

3. Policymaking Question to Ponder…
What does it take to change public policy?
_____________

4. Policymaking Question to Ponder…
What does it take to change public policy?
A majority vote
The approval by independent elections executive
A decree by monarch, military commission, or politburo
The choice of dictator

5. Policymaking Players and Roles
Roles of the Institutions of Government
While parties and interest group work at articulating and aggregating interests, government officials, legislators and their staffs do most of the actual implementation and formulation of policy proposals
Institutions of government: pass laws, regulations
Government agencies: Implementation (the core of policymaking)
Interest groups: express demands
2-way process
Upward flow of influence and demands
Downward flow of decisions from the government
Iron triangles and issue networks
Iron Triangle

6. Power and Policymaking
Where is power effectively located in the different political systems?
Parliamentary systems
Consociational Democracies
Corporatist Democracies
Constitutional Regimes
Majoritarian Regimes
Legislative Assemblies

7. Parliamentary Systems
Generally are fairly stable governments
responsible to the public will
Advantages
Plurality voting rules with clear party majorities in Parliament with a cabinet and PM responsible to
Works well with countries with an ethnically and religiously divided population because it provides a consensual framework in which differing groups can find representation
Disadvantages:
In parliamentary systems that are coupled with proportional representation (Germany or France) crises are common due to emergence of extremist political parties resulting in cabinet instability and breakdown
Example: Great Britain

8. Consociational Democracies
A country with vast differences along ethnic, religious, or linguistical divides. Instead of these governments being controlled by one party, a coalition between similar ideological based parties come together to form a coalition government or coalition cabinet.
These nations often have a federal government with powerful state governments, proportional representation, and a rigid well thought out constitution
Example: Nigeria

9. Consociational Democracies
Advantages
Stable countries where cultural and ideological cleavage and conflict had been intense, and party leaders could agree to disagree on intractable questions while they would build broad coalitions on others, emphasizing rep in policymaking by all major social groups, coalitions etc.
Disadvantages
Have succeeded in pacifying previously conflictual societies, but when stability has been attained, politicians have often returned to more competitive politics

10. Corporatist Democracies
Businesses within the country help to set limitations on government authority
Advantages
Economic policy is set by deliberation and bargaining over wages, benefits, prices and social policy between top leaders from labour, management and government
More power of negotiation and compromise over conflicts
More technical understanding of business models
Disadvantages
The class struggle between workers and management is so threatening to democratic stability, can be abated by a social partnership
Example: Sweden and Austria

11. Constitutional Regimes
Systems in which the powers of various government units are defined and limited by a written constitution, statutes, and/or customs
Advantages
Inclusion of civil rights, such as the right to a fair trial, freedom to speak, publish and assemble, are protected against government interference except under specified circumstances
All written constitutions provide for amending procedures, may vary widely, from the simplest (UK) to the most complex case
Disadvantages
Some have “rigid” amending procedures (vs. “flexible” amending proc)
In cases of extreme centralisation of power an omnipotent dictator, as in Hobbes´Leviathan could arise

12. Majoritarian Regimes X
Power is concentrated at a single point, not divided as in a separation of powers system
Advantages
Institutions are relatively simple, designed to give power to the reps of the majority of voters
Elections take place in plurality single-member districts and tend to produce two-party systems
Disadvantages (not really a true disadvantage)
Typically can only occur in a homogeneous, culturally unified society
example: England

13. Consensual Regimes
These systems provide for power sharing in the executive, requiring that ethnic, religious, or regional groups be represented in the cabinet or legislature
Found typically in religiously, linguistically, and ethnically heterogeneous societies
Example: Switzerland
Advantages
Designed to break up and constrain the exercise of powers
Disadvantages
The majority of citizens may not be fully represented because of the requirement that all groups must be represented

14. Legislative Assemblies
Dates back to ancient Greece and Rome and in Britain back to creation of Parliament in 1295
Almost all contemporary political systems have assemblies senates, chambers, diets, houses, etc.,
Also may be called “legislatures” or “parliaments”
Advantages
Requires their approval for major public policies, elected by vote, are at least formally accountable to the citizenry
80% of the countries belonging to the UN have such governmental bodies
Disadvantages
Long terms and/or no term limits can result in powerful individuals who are unlikely to be defeated

15. Many thanks to:
Dave LaShomb, AP Comparative Institute 