Public policy is formulated to address problems that jeopardize societal well-being. Once a policy problem is identified, the objectives of the policy are established to reduce the problem in a way that is acceptable to both policy administrators and those affected. There are many factors that influence public policy formulation, including political and societal forces, environmental contexts, and different actors. Ultimately, the goal of policy formulation is to identify problems, set objectives to address them, and develop strategies to implement solutions.

1. • Why public policy formulated.
• Problem identification: A set of conditions that is perceived to
jeopardize the general well being of society.
• Once policy problems is identified the objectives of the policy are
established, usually expressed in terms of ends which are desirable.
• Generally public policy is aimed at reducing problem, the objective
must be acceptable to both those administering the policy and those
affected by it.
public policy formulation

2. Prediction
And
prescription
Policymaker Policy Choice Implementation
Policy
outcome
Societal Centered Forces
• Classes
• Interest Groups
• Parties & Voters
State Centered Forces
• Technocrats
• Bureaucrats
• State Interests
Source: Meier 1991

3. On Agenda
Not on Agenda
Agenda Phase
Issues
Decision for
Reform
Decision
Against
reform
Decision
Phase
Successful
Implementation
Unsuccessful
Implementation
Implementation
Phase
Source: Grindle & Thomas

4. • Technocrats
• Bureaucrats
• Interest Groups
• Politicians
• Donors
• Knowledge
• Institution
• Representation
• Power
• Influence
ACTOR ROLE
Source: Walt and Gilson, 1994

5. Policy
Terminology
Ist stage
problem
formation
2nd
stage
Policy Agenda
3rd
stage
Policy
formulation
4th
stage
Policy
adoption
5th
stage
Policy
implementation
6th
stage
Policy
Evaluation
Formal
Definition
Relief is
sought from a
situation that
produces a
human need,
deprivation,
or
dissatisfactio
n
Problems
among many,
that receive
the
governments
serious
attention
Development
of pertinent
and
acceptable
proposed
courses of
action for
dealing with
public
problems.
Development
of support for
a specific
proposal such
that the policy
legitimized or
authorized.
Application of
the policy by
the
government’s
bureaucratic
machinery to
the problem
Attempt by
the govt. to
determine
whether or
not the policy
has been
effective
Common
sense
Getting the
govt. to see
the problem
Getting the
govt. to begin
to act on the
problem
The govt.’s
proposed
solution to the
problem
Getting the
govt. to
accept a
particular
solution to the
problem
Applying the
govt.’s policy
to the
problem
Did the policy
work
Source: Public Policy and Politics in America by James E. Anderson etal

6. – Mostly policies suffer at this stage due to
reasons:
1.Insufficient number of well trained personnel and
inadequate resources.
►In other words for the successful implementation of the
policy there should be equilibrium between the objectives
and resources.
1.Cultural dichotomy between traditional and
modern forces.
• Evaluation

7. A problems perceived
A set of policy objective established
The consequences of Alternative
Strategies are estimated
The preferred Strategy of Plan
implemented
The consequences of the implemented
Plan are investigated
EvaluationofStrategies
Formative
Summative
Evaluationofperformance
Alternative strategies to attain
The objectives are identified

8. A problems
perceived
A set of policy objective established
The consequences of Alternative
Strategies are estimated
The preferred Strategy of Plan
implemented
The consequences of the implemented
Plan are investigated
Evaluationof
Strategies
Formative
Summative
Evaluationofperformance
Alternative strategies to attain
The objectives are identified
Empirical Analysis of the nature/Extent
/Magnitude of the problems
A range of potential policy
Objective is outlined
Formative
Evaluationof
Strategies
Summative
Evaluationofperformance

9. • Environmental factors:
– Policy making can’t be adequately understood without
understanding environmental factors.
– These are:
• Political Culture
• Public Opinion
• Social System
• Economic system.

10. • Political culture:
– Political culture refers to the set of political beliefs and values
that sustain any political system. And it is the political system
that determines the decision making.
– In political culture, goodness, badness, desirability and
undesirability of good action or bad action.
– Sociologist Robin Williams has described “major value
orientation” in America society such as individual freedom,
equity, progress and efficiency. These values and other such as
democracy, individualism, humanitarianism and material
achievements have significance for policy making.

11. – Political cultures differs from society to society due to patterns of
development, environmental conditions and historical factors.
– It is political culture within which decision making occurs.
– In democratic culture official are hold accountable
– Old adage “People have right to be heard and official have a
duty to hear.
– Such conditions contribute towards the existence of
“participatory culture”

12. • Public opinion refers to the expression of public attitudes or beliefs
about current social, economic and political issues.
• The articulation of opinion depends on the type of political culture.
• The articulation of public opinion is determined by the public interest
which in most cases is not applied equally.
• While examining the impact of public opinion on policy making V.O
Key observes:
“Many, if not most, policy decisions by legislatures and by other
authorities exercising broad discretion are made under circumstances in
which extremely small proportions of the general public have any
awareness of the particular issue, much less any understanding of the
consequences of the decision.

13. • Societies are not generally homogenous, rather
consist of groups social groups with varying
degree of social, political and economic
influence.
• In pluralist society such groups can mount heavy
pressure on the political system.
• And serve as major source of demands for
policy making.

14. • Economic activities varies from society to society. Some
society have very simple economic system but some
have very complex one such as US.
• Economic activities are major source of conflict in
modern societies.
• And those possess economic means control political
power.
• In most of the societies the policy making is the elite
activity and policies are fashioned in way that reflects
elite aspiration.

15. • Micropolitics
– Refers to the attempts made by particular companies
or communities to secure favorable govt. action for
their own.
– Micropolitics involves groups or communities at
grassroots level
• Macropolitics
– It involves the community as whole and the leaders of
the govt. in the formation of public policy.
– The participants in the macropolitical arena include
president, executive departments , MP’s and
communication and media persons.

16. • Governmental
– Executive
– Legislature
– Judiciary
• Non-governmental
– Civil Society and NGO
• International
– Countries and International Institutions such
as UN, IMF, World Bank and etc.

17. Conclusion