Models of Political Advocacy
1. Institutional
2. Process
3. Group Theory
4. Elite Theory
5. Rational/Efficiency
6. Incremental
Institutional Models
Focuses-structural arrangements that seems to affect policy outcomes.
Focus-altering organization structures/ choosing organizational level within which to introduce structural change (federal, state, local intervention)
Process Model
Focus-HOW decisions are made.
How bills are processed by legislative committees.
Group Theory Model
Politics seen as a struggle among groups to influence policy making. (building coalitions; political action committees)
Elite Theory Model
Sees public policy as largely determined by the preferences of a governing elite
Rational Model
Focus-costs/benefits of a policy.
policy most rational when it achieves maximum benefit for the best cost.
Incremental Model
View public policy as mostly a continuation of past policies with incremental (adding on) changes.
focus on new policies in relation to existing ones.
Tactics of Influence
1. Case Conference
2. Fact gathering/providing information
3. Client Empowerment
4. Position-taking
5. Committee Work
6. Petitions
7. Media Campaigns
8. Political Action Committees
9. Lobbying
Case Conference
Using one case to provide testimony of an issue that is probably true for others. True for one, true for most.
Proving your point using a case.
Fact Gathering
Lots of legislation that demands attention, legislators get info from, community, think tanks, their personal aids, professional advocates through sources such as documentation (fact sheets), Testimony, and Written communication (letters).
Client empowerment
Enable clients to speak for themselves, help them to define the issue and work towards a solution.
-voter registration, letter writing.
Position taking
Getting others on your side
Committee Work
serving on one increases your visibility which may open new doors. (AD HOC committee: short lived committee, discuses one issue)
Peitions
way of getting public support which informs lawmakers
Media Campaigns
Writing to shape public opinion or inform it. Jane adams was one of the first to do this
Political Action Committee
Collects money to make a campaign contribution to the candidate which best reps their position
Lobbying
A persuasive presentation of one side of an issue, primarily to influence decision makers
communicate face to face
know your bill.
arrive early
Prigmore and Atherton Framework (basics)
1. Values
2. Dimensions of Influence
3. Knowledge Considerations
4. Cost and Benefits
Prigmore and Atherton Framework (Values)
Policy compatible with?
A. Contemporary "style"?
B. Enduring cultural values (equity, fairness, justice)
C. SWK's professional values/ethical system
Prigmore and Atherton Framework (Dimensions of Influence)
Is the policy?
A. acceptable to those in formal decision-making positions?
B. Satisfy relevant Interest Groups
Prigmore and Atherton Framework (Knowledge considerations)
Is the policy?
A. based on tested knowledge
B. workable? (real world attainable)
C. Create few policies for public and beneficiaries?
Prigmore and Atherton Framework (Cost and Benefits)
Is the policy?
A. Effective?
B. Efficient?
Phases in the Policy Making Process
A. Problem Identification/Definition
B. Policy Formulation
C. Legitimation
D. Policy Implementation
E. Evaluation
Problem Identification/Definition
All policies relate to a perceived problem
"A problem is one that touches a significant number of people or a number of significant people and about which a case has been made that a change by the government will improve things."
Social problems defined b
Policy formulation
-Different assumptions about causes and solutions are offered by stakeholders
-Research into issue
-Think tanks: Specialized institutions that provide research and info helpful in preparing proposals.
Legitimation
-Policy solution is formally enacted or legitimized
-Most hard work right now.
-Role of committees
-Legislative process
-LOBBYING most effective at this stage
Policy Implementation
-Activities which carry out specified policy or programs
-Filling in detail through regulations, personnel procedures, program and guidelines
-Results in a creation agency, staff
-impacted by worker skills, technology, budget and staff size
- all that you
Evalution
Success and failures of policies are examined
Who are the most/least powerful in policy making process?
Most powerful: elite groups, businesses
Least Powerful: Policy Target
The opinions of the most powerful will be more listened to during enacting policy.
Obstacles to rational policy making
(in Incrementation)
1. people are afraid to give up policies/programs which are established
2. Change efforts also appear to threaten status/power positions
3. Value/Ideological obstacles
3 Economic Theories
1. Keynesian Economics
2. Supply-side
3. Monetarists
Keynesian Economics
in the short run, and especially during recessions, economic output is strongly influenced by aggregate demand (total spending in the economy)
Most likely to have expansion of social welfare programs
Engaging in deficit spending will hopefully revenue the
Supply-side
proposes that tax decreases may lead to economic growth.
trickle down - Herbert Hoover
Less likely to have expansion of social welfare programs
Favors tax cuts.
Monetarists
belief that the economy's performance is determined almost entirely by changes in the money supply.
Less likely to have expansion of social welfare programs
Slow, steady growth; lowing taxes and government involvement
How does the government regulate the money supply?
1. Trading government securities
2. Raising/lowering interest rates
3. setting reserve requirements
Presidential administration limitations in the policy process
Official Family: disagreements among cabinet members causing major conflict
Congress: and pres become "dead Locked" over issues such as budget
Judiciary:
Federal System: obstacle is the system itself
Private Interests: Special interests groups trying to i
Ways to reduce federal deficit
1. Raise Taxes (revenue enhancement)
2. Cut government spending for social programs
3. Cuts in defense spending
4. Cuts in "entitlement" programs such as Social Security, Medicare, ect.
What major piece of legislation as as its aim a balanced budget?
OBRA - Ronald Reagan
How do the concepts of "production" and "consumption" affect social welfare policy?
In good economy - production and consumption are both needed.
Production
a. emphasized in industrial countries
b. impact of lack of production (declining demands)
c. people who do not or cannot work are considered a drag on the economy
d. Statue of Labore
Policy practice (define)
Strategies to influence policies so that they better address the needs of clients and the general population
Policy Practice Activities
1. Analyzing policy
2. policy shaping
-interpreting or guiding
-influencing
-collaboration
-testifying
-lobbying
-advocating
-monitoring
3. direct policy making
-policy-related self-assessment
-implementing
-official policy makers
Models of policy making
1. Pluralism
2. Public choice theory
3. elitist model
Pluralism
-all voices heard
-power is widely diffused instead of centralized
-stakeholders play major role in each stage of policy development
Public Choice Theory
-individuals pursue own interests
-Stakeholders seek to maximize their personal benefit
Elitist Model
-political development reflects goals of elite group of individuals "power elite)
-lower society viewed as powerless/apathetic
-"policies flow 'downward' from elites to masses; they do not arise from mass demands
Stakeholders
all the actors interested in and potentially affected by policy
Anyone who has interest
Power
-central component of political activity
-control of behavior
-ability to influence people through physical power, rewards or punishments, or propaganda
Think Tanks
specialized institutions that provide research and information helpful in preparing proposals
Political Action Committees
an organization that raises money privately to influence elections or legislation, especially at the federal level.
Raising $ for Candidates sympathetic to their problem
PACE
Political Action Committee Election
NASW-Political Action Candidate Election
Office of Management and Budget
Largest office within the executive office of the president. Main function: produce the president's budget.