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From Social Theory to Policy Design

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 November 2008

Stephen H. Linder  and
B. Guy Peters
Stephen H. Linder
Affiliation:
School of Public HealthUniversity of Texas
B. Guy Peters
Affiliation:
Department of Political Science, University of Pittsburgh
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Abstract

Little attention has been given in policy analysis to the creative process of designing solutions to public policy problems. There are a number of difficulties in applying macro-level theories – whether from economics, sociology, philosophy or macro-systems theory – in the policy process. Any macro-level theory will tend to provide inadequate guidance in one or more of three aspects of policy-making: a model of causation, a model for evaluating alternatives and outcomes, and a model of how interventions operate. Our current knowledge about which policy strategies work best under which conditions is at best rudimentary. Academic disciplinary perspectives focus on a narrow repertoire of policy instruments. What is required is a design focus which draws on instruments associated with a range of disciplines and professions. A design perspective involves both a systematic process for generating basic strategies and a framework for comparing them. Such an approach will require at least the following elements: (1) the characteristics of problems (scale, collectiveness, certainty, predictability, independence); (2) characteristics of goals (value-laden, operational, process of goal-setting); (3) characteristics of instruments (suitability of different instruments).

Type
Articles
Information
Journal of Public Policy , Volume 4 , Issue 3 , August 1984 , pp. 237 - 259
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1984

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