Policy Makers: Roles and Realities

Policy Makers: Roles and Realities Chapter 4 March 30, 2004

Policy Makers • In a democracy, policy makers are in pivotal positions of power • They must have an improved condition result from their efforts, which can be difficult in a democracy, because conflicts and opinions are openly expressed • They are in the business of effecting change, they supply the “heat”

Policy Makers • They have an important role in the political process • Legitimation- an activity that establishes widely recognized ground rules for decision making and the specific means through which such actions can take place

History of Policy Makers • Early on in American History policy makers were the “iron triangle,” bureaucracy, interests groups, and legislative committees • More recently they work as policy networks-collections of individuals inside as well as outside the official boundaries of government • Now policy makers are being seen as personnel-they are accountable for the ways in which they manage (or refuse to manage) the issues placed before them

Major Policy Making Authorities in American Politics • Congress • President • Judiciary • Bureaucracy • Voting Public

Congress • Independent legislature with extensive policy making authority • Article I, Sect. 8, Necessary and Proper Clause • Responsibilities and concerns have grown throughout history • Changes in the House • Some believe Congress does more delegating now or more deferring • Shift of power within Congress • Postpassage Politics-the politics of policy resolution that takes place in conference committees after the observable legislative ritual

President • Centerpiece of the nation’s policy making network • Before the Great Depression presidential activities centered largely on administrative and facilitative functions • President spoke our on wars, economic calamities • Now presidents propose policies, make them, and order their implementation by other agencies

President • Initially the president’s role in policy was tentative and unclear • They wanted a president with somewhat limited powers, to remain above parties and factions, enforce the laws of Congress, negotiate with foreign governments, and help states in times of civil disorder • Early presidents were conservative with their authority • Presidents are most powerful in times of deadlock and crisis

Judiciary • In Early America decisions of the Supreme Court fluctuated with the needs of the people • Now they are active in the policy making process • Judicial Review-the Supreme Court validates acts of people in other components of the system when those acts were contrary to the Constitution

Judiciary • Supreme Court has changed over time • At first responded to narrow economic questions such as property, capital and labor and interstate commerce • During the mid 20th century the Court changed in 2 ways • 1930s- The Court looked at the position of the federal government in regards to states and decided when the authority of the two are in conflict the federal government would prevail • 1950s-The Court moved to more social issues such as economic discrimination, apportionment, welfare, abortion, civil liberties, and environmental protection

Bureaucracy • Bureaucracy- units of government that make and implement public policies • A policy making structure that has evolved over time • Bureaucrats are civil servants-hired by merit and not political appointment • Different sizes of bureaucracies- Dept. of Defense, Dept. Veteran Affairs, Dept. of Education, and Interstate Commerce Commission • Initially designed as policy executors now they have policy making abilities

Voting Public • Initiative-permits the public to formulate policy by adopting measures that citizens place on the ballot • Popular in western states • Requirements vary by states (# of signatures) • Touches on all sorts of policy areas from abortion to legalization of marijuana • Can be declared unconstitutional

Policy Making Actors: Society’s Powers Brokers • Now decision makers have direct contact with those affected by policies • Decisions are left up to leadership- not practical for the people to make every decision • The system is one of interdependence and joint decision making-one isn’t more important that the others

Policy Makers: Roles and Realities