Public Policy by Romal Sinaga

Master of Public Policy

Flinders University, South Australia

Presented By : Romal Uli Jaya Sinaga

Student ID. 210xxxx

1 May 2012

Outline of PresentationBackground

The Analyst’s Toolkit

Point of Tension among frameworks

Conclusion

BACKGROUND

Policy Analysis is the next step in Policy Cycle after the issues have been identified.

It needs research To provide decision makers with sufficient information about the policy problems.

Typically, the result are briefing papers for senior official or ministers.

To some extent, a policy needs to be analyzedto make good policy.

I. The Analyst’s ToolkitApproaches / Frameworks commonly used by

analyst :

1. Economic Framework

2. Social Framework

3. Environmental Framework

4. Legal Framework

5. Political Framework

1. Economic Framework

Examples :

The Major Frameworks commonly used by analysts, based on Government preferences (Analytic Hegemony) :

a. Cost-Benefit Analysisb. Cost-Effectiveness Analysisc. Opportunity Costsd. Market Competitivenesse. Regulatory Impact

2. Social Framework

Examples :

a. Community Impactb. Interest Group Impactc. Community Valuesd. Social Justice Principlese. Cultural Heritage Impact

Recognising dimensions which are difficult or imposible to accommodate in economic framework

3. Environmental Framework

Examples :a. Environmental Impact Analysisb. Ecologically Sustainable Development Principlesc. Environmental Qualityd. Habitat Preservatione. Biodiversityf. Sound Management of Natural Resources

Potential impact on the environment, especially if considering approval for a major project.

4. Legal Framework

Examples :a. Constitutionalityb. Head of Powerc. Fundamental Legislative Principlesd. Certainty, Equality, and Fairness of the Lawe. Access to the Lawf. Enforceability

Policies require legislation to give them effect, and all policies take place in legal context (Government are subject to the rule of law)

5. Political Framework

Examples :a. Consistency with Governing Party Principles &

Policiesb. Consultation with Political Advisersc. Agreement among Political Elitesd. Electoral Impactse. Expected Media Reception

Political domain, based on governing party’s principles & platform and sensitivity to the issues.

II. Point of Tension among frameworks

• One approach is more dominant than others, e.g. Economic Framework versus others.

• There are great dangers in analysing a problem solely in economic approach, the others are also crucial importance.

• The tension among them can be solved by consencus/ agreement (Lindblom, 1959)

• Policy analysts must use judgement how much time and thought to invest in a problem.

Example :Subsidized Oil Pricing Policy in Indonesia

(Increasing the oil price)

• Economically : Saving fiscal / national budget

• Socially : Increasing on the number of poor people

• Enviromentally : To reduce production cost, many companies will ignore the environment, e.g. the process of waste disposal

• Legally : National Constitution stipulates the maximizing oil resources to citizens, not to multinational company.

• Politically : Government accountability (distrust), especially for supporting political party. Can be a trigger to topple government / president.

Conclusion

Policy Analysis is needed to make a good policy.

Analysts should consider which is the best framework to use and provide the decision maker a comprehensive analysis.

The tension among approaches should be tackled carefully (balancing between art and science).

The more analysis is done, the better policy will be achieved.

Thank YouMauliate (in Batak Language)

By : Romal Uli Jaya Sinaga

Student ID. 210xxxx