THEORIES OF
POLICY MAKING
ARNELYN A LAYUG
22 OCTOBER 2022 REPORTER
OBJECTIVES
1. Offer a definition of Theories of Public Policy
2. Identify each of the Theories of Public Policy
3. Differentiate each of the Policy Making Theories
4. Importance to know the different theories of public policy making?
5. Introduced the process of government initiating action around public problems and
supporting theories.
2
THEORIES OF PUBLIC POLICY
Theories of public policy making is concerned with the
identification and discussion of the source of public
policy in terms of who makes or influence the content of
public policy, the direction of public policy flow and the
interest that public policies serve
2
THEORIES OF PUBLIC POLICY
INSTITUTIONAL THEORY
SYSTEM THEORY
ELITE THEORY
GROUP THEORY INCREMENTAL THEORY
The System Theory
This theory states that input in form of demand and
support comes from the environment into the political
system that process them and bring them out as
output in form of goods and services
The Elite Theory
This theory sees the source or the makers of public
policies as well as the interests that policies are meant
to serve as the elites. This assumption is a
consequence of the fact that the elite’s theory
believes that the society is divided into two – the
masses and the elites.
The Group Theory:
The group theory of public policy assumes that public
policy is the equilibrium or compromise reached in
group struggle or competition for favourable
allocation or re-allocation of values in the society. This
group theory assumes that public policies are usually
made in the interest or favour of the most influential
groups in the society.
The Institutional Theory
One of the oldest concerns of political science and
public administration is the study of government
institutions since political life generally revolves
around them
These institutions include legislatures, executives and
judiciary; and public policy is authoritatively
formulated and executed by them.
Legislative Branch is authorized to make laws,
alter, and repeal them through the power vested
in the Philippine Congress. This institution is
divided into the Senate and the House of
Representatives.
Executive Branch is composed of the President
and the Vice President who are elected by direct
popular vote and serve a term of six years. The
Constitution grants the President authority to
appoint his Cabinet
Judicial Branch holds the power to settle
controversies involving rights that are legally
demandable and enforceable
It is made up of a Supreme Court and lower
courts.
Incremental Theory
Incrementalism is a method of achieving
massive changes in public policy by
implementing small changes slowly over
time.
Incrementalist strategies are efficient for the
government organizations as they only have to focus on
the effects of the incremental changes from the
previous policies, and major political parties often avoid
focusing on the more radical options.
Rational- Choice Theory
The rational-choice theory, which is sometimes called
social-choice, public-choice, or formal theory,
originated with economists and involves applying the
principles of micro-economic theory to the analysis
and explanation of political behaviour
CONCLUSION:
Numerous policy scholars have sought theories to explain
policy in more than just one case. Theories can help us
identify similarities and patterns across multiple cases that
enable us to understand what is happening presently and
perhaps even predict what might happen in the future. They
provide an organizing framework and a vocabulary in which
we can talk about policy.
REFERENCE:
[1] Abdulsami, I. (1987). The Concept and Process of Public Policy. A paper presented at the national workshop for
chief nursing officers, in Zaria, Wednesday 3rd June, 1987.
[2] Anderson, J.E.(1997). Public Policy-Making: An Introduction 3rd ed. Boston: Houghton Miffilin Company.
[3] Braybrooke, D. &Lindblom, E. (1964).A Strategy of Decisions. Free Press of Glencoe, New York.
[4] Dlakwa, H.D. (2014). Concepts and Models in Public Policy Formulation and Analysis. Kaduna: PylamakServicies
Ltd Nigeria.
[5] Downs, A. (1957). An Economic Theory of Democracy. New York: Harper and Row.
[6] Dye, T.R & Zeigler, L.H. (1990).The Irony of Democracy. 8thedition. Monterey, Califf: Books/Cole
[7] Hayes, M.T. (1992). Incrementalism and Public Policy. New York: Longman.
[8] Henry, N. (2004). Public Administration and Public Affairs. 9thed. New Delhi: Prentice Hall. [9] [9] Latham,E. (1965).
The Group Basis of Politics, New York: Octagon Books
[10] Mitchell, W.C. (1982). Textbook Public Choice: A Review Essay. Public Choice, XXVIII.
[11] Mosca, G. (1939). The Ruling Class, (Translated by Hannah D. Kahn), New York: McGrow-Hill Book Company.
[12] Obi, E.A, Nwachukwu, C.L. and Obiora, A.C. (2008).Public Policy Analysis and Decision Making. Onitsha: Bookpoint
Educational Ltd. [
13] Simon, H.A. (1957). Administrative Behaviour: A Study of Decision-Making Processes in Administrative
Organisation. 2nded. New York: The Macmillian Company.
[14] Weischler, L.F. (1982). Methodological Individualism in Politics. Public Administration Review, XL III,
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