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Empowering the People with Systemic Analysis of Policy Proposals
Steven E. Wallis, Ph.D.
Fielding, Alumnus, HOD 2006
Director, Foundation for the Advancement of Social TheoryAdjunct Faculty, Capella UniversityFulbright, Specialist Roster Candidate
Based on a paper titled: “How to Choose Between Policy Proposals: A Simple Tool Based on Systems Thinking and Complexity Theory”
In Press 2013 – E:CO – Emergence, Complexity, and Organizations, 15(3)
Fielding Graduate University - Summer Session 2013July 15th-20th at the Hilton Alexandria Mark Center, Alexandria, VA
FOUNDATION FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF SOCIAL THEORY
Complexity theory and systems approaches can be applied for the creation and evaluation of policy proposals. However, those approaches are difficult to learn and use. Therefore, those conceptual tools are not available to the general public. If citizens were able to analyze policies with relative ease, they would gain a powerful tool for deliberating, choosing, and improving policy.
Here, I present a method for measuring the structure (complexity and co-causal relationships) of competing policies. I demonstrate this method by conducting a structural comparison of two economic policies that have been put forth by competing political parties. The results show clear differences between the policies that are not visible through other forms of analysis.
This method may be used to empower individuals and organizations to become more active participants in the policy process. Further, this process is useful for integrating disparate views – opening the door for greater civic collaboration instead of political competition and social fragmentation.
Abstract
Background
The present study is an exercise in the emerging “Science of Conceptual Systems” where rigorous methods are applied to study theories and policies to gain new understandings of how to improve our conceptual systems so that we may more effectively improve the human condition.
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Theoretical Foundation
Dubin, Stinchcombe, Kaplan, etc.: agree theories are more effective when they are more highly structured (however, they did say how to measure structure).
Using insights from systems thinking, complexity theory, and cybernetics, Wallis pioneered “Integrative Propositional Analysis.” To quantify structure Clarify relationship between structure and effectiveness of theory. Confirmed untested assumptions of previous scholars.
Structure may include: Complexity (number of concepts), and Robustness / Systemicity (interrelatedness between concepts).
The Old and the NewScience One
Toulmin’s logic (claim, warrant, support, proof, etc.)Correspondence bet. concept & realitySeparationFocus on gaining DATA for models
Science Two
Complex structures of logic (especially concatenated)Coherence bet. concepts in the modelIntegrationModels ARE the data for analysis
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METHOD: Integrative Propositional Analysis
1. Identify propositions within one or more policy models.
2. Diagram those propositions with one box for each concept and arrows indicating directions of causal effects.
3. Find linkages between causal concepts and resultant concepts between all propositions.
4. Count the number of concepts to quantify the Complexity
5. Identify concatenated concepts (resulting from two or more causal concepts).
6. Divide the number of concatenated concepts by the total number of concepts in the model to quantify the Robustness / systemicity / likelihood of successful application.
Five Structures of Logic
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Atomistic – claims are unsupported assumptions.Circular – structures are useless tautologies.Linear – have insufficient supportBranching – can’t tell between real causes and spurious causes.Concatenated – “C” provides useful knowledge (Bateson’s dual description, dialectic).
Data Set
Two economic policies - Each drawn from the websites of the two major competing political parties in the recent Presidential campaign.Small sample set – but suitable for comparative case study.
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Economic Policy #1
2. Fewer tax loopholes that let corporations hide profits overseas
3. More investing those dollars in small businesses
1. More strengthening of American industries and more jobs for American workers
4. More tax cuts to small businesses
5. More lending to businesses
6. More investing in a clean energy economy
7. More tax credits
8. More manufacture of windmills, solar panels, and electric cars
9. More rebuilding roads, bridges, rails, and ports
10. Stronger infrastructure
11. Hard work
12. Responsibility
13. More investment in our people (middle class families and small business owners)
14. More successful as a country
15. More growth of the economy from the bottom up.
Arrows indicate causal relationships
NOTE: “atomistic” not so useful
NOTE: “concatenated” Concepts – useful and understood
NOTE: “linear” not so useful
NOTE: “concatenated” concepts – useful and understood
Economic Policy #2
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1. There is power and opportunity in America’s free market economy
6. More federal government picks winners and losers in the marketplace
5. More federal government in control of industry
4. More interventionist policies
3. More promotion of confidence in our economy among consumers, entrepreneurs, and businesses
2. More sensible business regulations
NOTE: This is an “atomistic” claim – unsupported and therefore not of great value
NOTE: This next two are “linear” structures and therefore not of great value
NOTE: To improve, the model should have more concatenatedstructures andinclude moreconcepts.
Arrows indicate causal relationships
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0.05
0.1
0.15
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16
Sys
tem
icity
/ P
oten
tial E
ffic
acy
Complexity of Policy
Economic Policies of Two Parties
Structural Comparison
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Policy #1
Complexity = 15
Robustness = 0.13
Policy #2
Complexity = 6
Robustness = 0
NOTE: We have not looked at the concepts – that is a “Science One” approach. Which, while useful, has limitations based on perceptions and understandings. Here, we look at the relationships between the concepts – those define the level of understanding with some level of objectivity.
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ConclusionsFrom this analysis, it is clear that economic policy #1 is more systemic
and more complex. Therefore, it is more likely to be effective in practical application.
Using a facilitated, collaborative, version of this approach it is possible to integrate multiple policies to achieve greater effectiveness.
More generally, this example demonstrates that it is possible to make effective evaluations by looking at the internal structure of competing policies. Therefore, deep policy experience and access to secret information (e.g. alleged weapons of mass destruction) are not prerequisites for participation in policy conversation.
This approach provides a “David’s sling” to empower people and open the door for greater participation in the policy process. And, importantly, helps us see the difference between political rhetoric and useful logic.
Fulbright Specialist Candidate
Dr. Wallis was recently appointed to a position on the Fulbright Specialist Roster. He is available to support educational institutions outside the US for projects of two to six weeks. For more information, please contact Steve: [email protected]
http://www.cies.org/specialists/Developing_a_Project/
http://www.cies.org/Fulbrightagency_files/FSP/Specialist_HostInstitution_flyer.pdf
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