2. Members of Group one
Name Id no
1. Bantie Gedamu …. ALPL/0006/11
2. Fasil Abeyu ….. . ALPL/0010/11
3. Hibest Admasu…. ALPL0013/11
4. Melaku Baye ….. ALPL/0016/11
5. Yeshiwas Belay …… ALPL/0022/11
3. Content 1. INTRODUCTION
2. OBJECTIVE
3. CONCEPT OF GROUP THEORY
4. THE IMPORTANT FEATURES OF GROUP THEORY (POLICY AS
GROUP EQUILIBRIUM)
5. LIMITATIONS OF GROUP THEORY
6. GROUP THEORY AND ITS APPLICATION IN ETHIOPIAN CONTEXT
7. SUMMERY
8. REFERENCE
4. Introduction
Policy making theories are also known
as models or approaches.
Though there is no single theory or
model to apply, they indicate which type
of theories or models being adopted.
Sometimes, policy success and
limitations are associated with the
theories or models used though such
analysis alone may not be complete or
final.
5. Conti----
Political scientists also use theories or models to
explain the nature of policymaking
A model is a simplified representation of some
aspects of the real world. A model may be:
-An actual physical representation
-A flow chart (how a bill becomes a law.)
There are various policy theories or models from
the most common once we focused on to
evaluate group theory/model (pluralist model)
policy making practice in Ethiopia.
6. OBJECTIVE
The main objective this term paper is
to:
1. Examine the nature and
characteristics of group theory
2. Analysis the applicability of the group
theory/ model in Ethiopia context.
3. Assess and examine how different
interest groups influence the public
policy formulation.
7. CONCEPT OF GROUP THEORY
According to the group theory of politics, public policy
is the product of the group struggle.
What may be called public policy is the equilibrium
reached in this group struggle at any given moment, and
it represents a balance which the contending factions or
groups constantly strive to win in their favor.
Many public polices do reflect the activities of groups
(Anderson, 1997).
This means that this theory attempts to analyses how
each of the various groups in a society tries to influence
public policy to its advantage at the policy formulation
level
8. Conti----
According to Fox et al. (2006:12), public policy may
derive from interest groups who continuously
interact with policy makers to influence the policy
making process.
The Geocities Report (2009:01) states that some
policies may be made by judges in consultation with
other groups but only to discover that the President
has great influence over what policy areas are given
attention.
This implies that a monopoly of influence over some
polices areas can be perpetuated by this model
during public policy formulation.
9. Conti----
De Coning and Cloete (2006:38) use the following figures to describe
the public policy process as influenced by the group model.
It shows how each interest group (in this case group A) gains
dominance over another interest group (group B) resulting in group A
having a greater influence on the policy as policy makers move
towards public policy outcomes favorable to group A .
Fig Source: Cloete et al. (2006(b):38)
10. Conti----
Hence after pressurizing, lobbying and
consultation, public policy formulation
comes to achieve with one interest group
having dominated the public policy.
The implication of this model is that public
policies implemented will be bearing the
influence of those that have applied more
power, influence and skills.
This is significant for this study as it suggests
a top-down approach to public policy making
and implementation.
11. Conti----
Group theory rests on the contention that interaction and
struggle among groups are the central facts of political life.
A group is a collection of individuals that may, on the basis
of shared attitudes or interests, make claims upon other
groups in society.
It becomes a political interest group "when it makes a claim
through or upon any of the institutions of government."
The individual is significant in politics only as a participant
in or a representative of groups.
It is through groups that individuals seek to secure their
political preferences.
A central concept in group theory is that of access.
12. Conti----
A central concept of Group Theory is access
or opportunity to express its view points to
decision makers.
Some groups will have more access than other
and public policy reflects the interests of
dominant group and influential group.
The legislature rather than the bureaucracy
through the bureaucracy too is buffeted by
pressure groups.
Many regulating agencies have been captured by
certain groups who instead of being regulated do
13. THE IMPORTANT FEATURES OF GROUP THEORY (POLICY
AS GROUP EQUILIBRIUM)
Group theory begins with the proposition that
interaction among groups is the central fact of politics.
Individuals with common interest band together
formally or informally to press their demands on
government.
According to David Truman an interest group is a group
with “shared attitudes”, and individuals are important in
politics only when they act as part of, or on behalf of,
group interest.
Politics is really the struggle among groups to influence
public policy; that public policy is the product of the
group struggle.
14. Conti----
The theory of this model says that a society is divided
into a number of organized interest groups.
According to group model theorists, public policy at any
given time is the equilibrium reached in the group
struggle, and it represents a balance, which the
contending factions or groups constantly strive to weigh
in their favor.
This equilibrium is determined by the relative influence
of any interest groups.
Changes in the relative influence of any interest group
can be expected to result in changes in public policy;
policy will move in the direction desired by the groups
gaining influence.
15. Conti----
Many public policies do reflect the activities of groups.
Policymakers are viewed by this model as constantly
responding to group pressure-bargaining, negotiating,
and compromising among competing demands of
influential groups.
An individual is a participant in groups and he/she seeks
to secure his/her political preference through the
groups.
The central concept of Group Theory is access or
opportunity to express view points to decision makers.
Some groups will have more access than others and
public policy reflects the interests of dominant group
and influential group.
16. THEORY
The group theory has been criticized on the following grounds:
1. The group theory overemphasizes the significance of groups in policy
making and underestimates independent creative role that public
officials play in the policy formation. Moreover, policy makers are the
principle players in the play of power in policy making process and
interest group leaders play subordinate role.
2. The assumptions that the public officials as policy makers are neutral
as referee are unrealistic since they have a major say in the continuity of
certain program.
3. It stresses the interaction and struggle of various groups. But
there are other factors such as ideas and institutions that
affects public policy making.
4. Public policy formation does not only solve the problem of
interest group. Moreover, public policy addresses the issues such as
nation building, national prosperity, integrity, and international
relationship.
17. Conti…
5. The free rider problem is another vital limitation of
this theory because in certain circumstances it is
rational for an individual not to participate in-group
efforts though the group interest fulfils his interest.
6. Public policy does not only fulfill the interest of the
interest group but emphasizes the common interest
such as security, defense, independence, national
unity etc.
7. Another central concept in the group theory is access
to influence and shape governmental decisions,
express viewpoints to decision makers. It also focuses
on policy formulation in pluralist societies. Other
major shortcoming about the group theory is that the
poor and the disadvantaged are either not
represented or poorly represented.
18. GROUP THEORY AND ITS APPLICATION IN ETHIOPIAN
CONTEXT
Despite the constitutional provision and governance changes
which is more than 20 years now, the exact level of policy
participation in Ethiopia is not studied to the level required.
As a result, it can not conclusively be said high or low.
However, there are limited studies which indicate that the
level of participation is not to the level required when seen in
light of the broader constitutional provisions.
Some scholars (e.g. Omer ( 2014); Biruk (2014); Dereje (2012);
Taye (2008); Amdissa (2008); Mulugeta (2005); Alemayehu
(2004); and Getahun (2004); have tried to hint that policy
participation in Ethiopia is not commensurate(adequate)
with the changes that took place in light of the constitutional
land mark which assigns roles to all policy actors at all
governance levels
19. Conti----
As a diverse nation, there is always a difference in
policy capacities which are reflected in the policy
implementation outcomes.
Such policy capacity variations are common in
federal countries such as Ethiopia.
This capacity gap can be manifested at the center,
state and local levels.
It is in this area of concerns that the Center
(federal) which is in relative capacity advantage to
intervene to ensure the vision of a common
economic community and even development in all
parts of the nation.
20. Conti----
Generally the group theory advocates the
interest of its member; it could not consider
the interest of the society.
The government in Ethiopian history now
and before did not open a room for groups to
influence public policy.
More over in Ethiopian context the dominant
political power especially the ruling party is
fully responsible in formulating and
implementing the country’s policy.
21. Conti----
For instance groups in Ethiopia, like
civic association, cooperatives, and
others are not directly influence the
policy formulation and execution.
While the government or the ruling party is
directly held responsible for both policy
formulation and execution.
The interest groups in our country are not
free from the direct intervention and
dominancy of the ruling party.
22. SUMMERY
Group theory, the most common version
of pluralism used to explain national
political behavior, interprets policy
making as the result of influence by
groups. At the local level, there is less
emphasis on groups, but influential
individuals are perceived a diverse,
conflicting and different from one issue
to another. Conflict and competition
have prominent roles in this model.
23. Conti----
It is recognized that not all interests are
organized or influential, but there is a
tendency to assume a "frictionless transition"
from shared interests to formation of an
effective group (Henig).
In policy education, pluralist models are
especially helpful in emphasizing the
diversity of participants and interests, the
likelihood of conflict and the importance of
willingness to work on conflict resolution.
24. 8. REFERENCE
Alemayehu, Hailemariam (2001) Overview of Public
Administration in Ethiopia. C.A.F.R.A.D. African
Training and Research Centre in Administration for
development.
Anderson, J.E.(1997). Public Policy-Making: An Introduction
3rd ed. Boston: Houghton Miffilin Company.
Biruk Shewakena. 2014. Public policymaking in post-1991
Ethiopia: The case of Urban land lease policy.
MA, AAU
Cloete et al. (2006:29) state that the theories
De Coning and Cloete (2006:38) describe the public policy
process
Dereje Terefe. 2012. Policy practice and challenges in
Ethiopia. Lambert
Academic Publishing (available as E-Book)
25. Conti----
Fox et al. (2006:12), public policy
Geocities Report (2009:01), theories on public policy making
Mulugeta Abebe. 2005. A critical assessment of institutions,
roles and leverage in public policymaking: Ethiopia,
1974-2004. Dissertation for the PhD in public and
development management, University of Stellenbosch,
South Africa
Omer Ibrahim. 2014. Policymaking practices in Ethiopia: The
case of Amhara National regional State Council,
MA, Ethiopian Civil Service University
Taye Assefa (ed.). 2010. Digest of Ethiopia’s National
Policies, Strategies and Programs, 2010, Addis Ababa,
Forum for social studies
