GOVERNMENT AND POLICY MAKING The Rule Making Function

GOVERNMENT AND POLICYMAKING

Policymaking is the pivotal stage in the political process.

To understand public policy, we must know decisions are made.Government agencies are at the core of

policymaking.Two-way process:

Upward flow of influence and demands from society Downward flow of decisions from the government

STRUCTURES OF THE POLITICAL SYSTEM

FUNCTIONS OF THE POLITICAL SYSTEM

CONSTITUTIONS AND DECISION RULES

A constitution establishes the basic rules of decision-making, rights, and the distribution of authority in a political system. Written constitutions important in political systems

based on the rule of law Constitutions contain sets of decision rules.

These are the basic rules governing how decisions are made.

Policymaking - the conversion of social interests and demands into authoritative public decisions. Constitutions establish the rules by which this

happens. Constitutions confer the power to propose policies on

specific groups and institutions.

CONSTITUTIONS AND DECISION RULES

Decision rules determine what political resources are valuable in influencing

decision how to acquire and use these resources.

Different decision rules have different attractions. Inclusive rules (majority rule; cooperative rule)

Can protect against hasty decisions But they can also give a minority the power to block

proposals favored by a majority The more inclusive the voting rules are the less

likely it is that any decision can be made at all. Less inclusive rules make it easier to reach a

policy, but many interests may be ignored.

CONSTITUTIONS AND DECISION RULES

The government (as a whole) and its component institutions have decision rules. Numerous rules affect the policymaking process. In modern assemblies rules about voting - egalitarian

rules; one person, one vote

Dictatorships - decision making is hierarchical Pure hierarchy: only the vote of the person at the top

counts

Democracy favors decision rules that are transparent and stable. When decisions are made through equal voting, the

inclusiveness of the decision rule still shapes the outcome.

DEMOCRACY AND AUTHORITARIANISM

The most important distinction in policymaking is between democratic and authoritarian systems. Democracy means government by the people.

Direct or indirect participation by the public Institutions facilitate indirect participation: elections,

competitive political parties, free mass media, representative assemblies

Authoritarian regimes - policymakers are chosen by military councils, hereditary families, dominant political parties and the like. Citizens are either ignored or pressed into symbolic

assent.

BASIC DECISION RULES OF POLITICAL SYSTEMS - BOTH DEMOCRATIC AND

AUTHORITARIAN - DIFFER ALONG THREE IMPORTANT DIMENSIONS:

The separation of powers between different branches of government

The geographic distribution of authority between the central (national) government and lower levels, such as states, provinces, or municipalities

Limitations on government authority

SEPARATION OF GOVERNMENT POWERS

Theory of separation of powers Locke and Montesquieu Madison and Hamilton

Classic separation of powers theory Argued there are two forms of representative

democratic government Presidential

Two separate agencies of government: executive and legislative Separately elected and authorized by the people Fixed terms; cannot unseat the other branch; each with specific

powers Coordination must be achieved to make policy

Parliamentary Executive and legislative branches are interdependent Legislative branch directly elected; prime minister and cabinet

emerge from the legislature Confidence relationship Do not experience the form of divided government that is common

under presidentialism

SEPARATION OF GOVERNMENT POWERS

Not all democracies fit neatly into the presidential or parliamentary category. France- “semi-presidential” In some mixed types, the president and the

legislature are separately elected, but the president has the power to dissolve the legislature.

In such systems, the cabinet may be appointed by the president, but subject to dismissal by the legislature.

Debates have emerged as to the “best” system.

GEOGRAPHIC DISTRIBUTION OF GOVERNMENT POWER

Confederal - U.S. under the Articles of Confederation

Federal - U.S., Germany, Russia, India, Nigeria, Mexico, and Brazil

Unitary - Britain, France, China, Japan and IranMost of the world’s states are unitaryOnly 18 states are federal

GEOGRAPHIC DISTRIBUTION OF GOVERNMENT POWER

Federalism is commonly thought to have several advantages: In culturally divided societies it may help protect

ethnic, linguistic, or religious minorities, particularly if they are geographically concentrated.

Serve as a check on overly ambitious rules and thus protect markets and citizen freedoms

May allow subunits to experiment with different policy programs

But it promotes choice and diversity at the expense of equality.

Sometimes there is a discrepancy between formal and actual federalism: Mexico

LIMITATIONS ON GOVERNMENT POWER

Constitutional regimesCivil rights protected

Courts are crucial to the limitations on governmental power.

Judicial review Lijphart characterizes only four of the 36

democratic systems he examines as having “strong” judicial review.

Often in constitution but harder to implement in practice

Amending procedures Vary widely

CHECKING THE TOP POLICYMAKERS

Challenge: control the excesses of the top political leadersAuthoritarian systems: problematicRepresentative Democracies: procedures

vary between types of systems Parliamentary system: removed virtually at any

time Presidential system: impeachment

Associated with constitutions having powerful presidencies with fixed terms of office

Direct Ultimate control of democratic order is periodic and competitive elections.

Direct Democracy – the people as the check

ASSEMBLY FUNCTIONS

Deliberate, debate, and vote on policies that come before them.

Control public spending decisions (sort of) Some have important appointment powers. Some may serve as a court of appeals. Range in terms of their role as policymaking

agencies: U.S. - highly active role; National People’s Congress of the People’s Republic of China,

rubberstamp function Assemblies should not be viewed only as

legislative bodies.

FUNCTIONS OF THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE

Typically the most important structure in policymaking The executive normally initiates new policies. May have role in adoption Typically has veto powers Oversees policy implementation Recruitment function Conduct affects trust and confidence in the political

system Central role in communication, in explaining and

building support for new policies Improving the performance in various sectors of

society and economy

POLITICAL EXECUTIVES

In modern states, the executive branch is by far the largest, the most complex, and typically the most powerful branch of government.Chief executives

Single or split Divided between effective power over policy, purely

ceremonial roles or both Presidents and Prime Ministers Chairman of the Communist Party in China Monarchs

Advantages the split system

RECRUITMENT OF CHIEF EXECUTIVES

Recruitment structuresCompetitive party systemsNoncompetitive parties and military

organizationsAuthoritarian systems rarely have effective

procedures for leadership succession.Poorer nations show substantially less

stability and the regimes have usually had less experience at surviving succession crises. African nations: repeated coups

THE CABINET

In some political systems, the Cabinet is the most important collective decision-making body. Very powerful in parliamentary systems

Selection Presidential systems: presidential prerogative with

legislative approval; President can dismiss Cabinet members; legislature severely limited in this area

Parliamentary systems: formation depends on the result of parliamentary elections and on the composition of Parliament Majority single-party cabinet Coalition cabinet