Chapter
17: Policymaking
Synopsis
The institutions of national government have been
described in earlier chapters. There we looked closely at
how the nature of each institution affected policymaking.
In this chapter we focus on policymaking across
institutions.
In the first half of this chapter we distinguish
different types of policies based on the approach used to
solve problems. We then tie together the processes
described in the chapters on the institutions of
government into a general model of public policymaking.
Finally, we analyze how the different levels and
institutions of government can produce rather fragmented
approaches to solving problems and examine those forces
that work toward coordination in policymaking.
In the second half of this chapter we build on the
discussion of fragmentation and coordination by looking
at policymaking on issues where there are a very large
number of actors trying to influence the outcome. The
interrelationship between private sector actors and
government officials is explained. The ongoing
relationships between those who work in the same issue
area are examined in detail. A beginning point for this
discussion is the concept of iron triangles. A critique
is offered, and the more recent concept of issue networks
is outlined. A feature common to both iron triangles and
issue networks is the movement of people back and forth
between jobs in their policy subsystem. The problems of
"in-and-outers" and of issue of networks are presented,
and the broader implications for the conflict between
pluralism and majoritarianism are explored.
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