The Policy Process
The Policy Process: Part 1
HCS/455
Elwanda Whitaker
The Policy Process: Part 1 Not everyone understands how the government works, there are many different branches, policies, rules and regulations that have to be followed. Individuals are not always aware of what the inner workings of our government are, and this can often be cause for confusion and frustration. Turning thoughts into policies and allowing those thoughts to be implemented is one of the most difficult procedures our government has. Understanding the inner workings of how an idea turns into a policy, can return a little bit of faith into our system, due to the unknown difficulty that policy creating can entail. There are three important phases to creating a policy - the formulation, legislative and implementation stage; each has their role, but they all affect each other in the creation of a policy. The formulation stage is when policy makers create plans of action to address issues that are being noted. Policies are chosen to move into the next stage of development if they meet two specific criteria. According to Muhammad Umar in Policy Formulation and Implementation the policy must be a reasonable way of solving a specific issue, and second the policy idea must be feasible. Effective formulation involves analysis and identification of alternatives to solving issues. Pitching new policies in the formulation stage often involves campaigning; this means trying to build a majority vote by gaining the confidence of other policymakers. Often times the input of professional policy analysts are brought in to analyze every aspect of the policy including, the means, cost, implementation strategy and possible consequences; these opinions can sway votes. Once policymakers agree that proposed policies will solve problems efficiently and effectively, they are then authorized to go through to the political process: Legislation. During the legislative
HCS/455
Elwanda Whitaker
The Policy Process: Part 1 Not everyone understands how the government works, there are many different branches, policies, rules and regulations that have to be followed. Individuals are not always aware of what the inner workings of our government are, and this can often be cause for confusion and frustration. Turning thoughts into policies and allowing those thoughts to be implemented is one of the most difficult procedures our government has. Understanding the inner workings of how an idea turns into a policy, can return a little bit of faith into our system, due to the unknown difficulty that policy creating can entail. There are three important phases to creating a policy - the formulation, legislative and implementation stage; each has their role, but they all affect each other in the creation of a policy. The formulation stage is when policy makers create plans of action to address issues that are being noted. Policies are chosen to move into the next stage of development if they meet two specific criteria. According to Muhammad Umar in Policy Formulation and Implementation the policy must be a reasonable way of solving a specific issue, and second the policy idea must be feasible. Effective formulation involves analysis and identification of alternatives to solving issues. Pitching new policies in the formulation stage often involves campaigning; this means trying to build a majority vote by gaining the confidence of other policymakers. Often times the input of professional policy analysts are brought in to analyze every aspect of the policy including, the means, cost, implementation strategy and possible consequences; these opinions can sway votes. Once policymakers agree that proposed policies will solve problems efficiently and effectively, they are then authorized to go through to the political process: Legislation. During the legislative