Policy Analysis
Policy analysis applies systematic methods to inform public decisions — defining problems, assessing options, and evaluating outcomes.
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Scope
It covers problem definition, options appraisal and cost-benefit analysis, implementation analysis, and evaluation.
Core questions
- How should policy options be assessed?
- How are problems defined for analysis?
- How can analysis inform real decisions?
- How are policies evaluated?
Key concepts
- Problem definition
- Cost-benefit analysis
- Incrementalism
- Options appraisal
- Implementation
- Evidence-based policy
Key theories
- Incrementalism
- Lindblom argued real analysis proceeds incrementally, by limited comparisons, not comprehensive rationality.
- The craft of analysis
- Wildavsky framed policy analysis as an art and craft of 'speaking truth to power'.
History
Policy analysis developed from rational and incremental models (Lindblom) and Wildavsky's craft conception into a methodologically rich field of applied evaluation.
Debates
- Rational analysis versus political reality
- How far formal analysis can or should drive inherently political decisions.
Key figures
- Charles Lindblom
- Aaron Wildavsky
Related topics
Seminal works
- lindblom-1959
- wildavsky-1979
Frequently asked questions
- What is cost-benefit analysis?
- A method of policy analysis that weighs the monetized costs and benefits of options to inform decisions.