COURSE OUTLINE AND READING LIST FOR POLI 708: PUBLIC POLICY DESIGN AND ANALYSIS , SECOND SEMESTER 2019/2020 ACADEMIC YEAR

DEPARTMENT OF POLITICAL SCIENCE 

UNIVERSITY OF GHANA

PhD PROGRAMME IN POLITICAL SCIENCE SECOND SEMESTER, 2019-2020

POLI 708: PUBLIC POLICY DESIGN AND ANALYSIS COURSE OUTLINE AND READINGS

Lecturer: Prof. Joseph R.A. Ayee

1.  Course Description

The course provides an introduction to the concepts, theories and debates at the core of public policy. The course is designed to prepare the students for their dissertation research, and therefore provides for a broad discussion of public policy analysis that draws on insights and theories from political science, international relations, economics, law and sociology. The main objective of this course is to develop an advanced understanding of major debates in contemporary public policy, theoretical approaches to the study of public policy as well as diverse methodological opportunities of researching various aspects of public policy-making. The concern is to identify and analyze (a), major scholarly currents and traditions of public policy as an academic discipline and a research area; (b) core concepts in policy analysis; (c) major methodological perspectives, debates and logics of research inquiry used for academic research on public policy; and (d) explanatory capacity of existing theoretical tools.

Particular attention is paid to the state-of-the-art in public policy research and practice. This is done through, for instance, including discussions from social constructivism and argumentative and interpretive research, and by including practical sessions related to public policy career prospects. Selected examples of public policies and programmes in the areas of the economy (budget and taxation), politics, governance and environment in Ghana and other Sub-Saharan African countries will be used to provide a better understanding of the concepts and theories.

2.  Learning Objectives

The learning objectives of the course are at three levels, namely, knowledge, skills and behaviour.

3.  Learning Outcomes

At the end of the course therefore, participants will be able to:

·         Define policy, decision, public policy, wicked problems and public policy analysis.

·         Explain why one undertakes public policy analysis.

·         Describe the procedures or methods of policy analysis, public policy cycle and the policy environment.

·         Identify official and unofficial policy makers.

·         Enumerate the descriptive models (systems, group, elite and institutional) and prescriptive models (rational comprehensive, incremental, mixed scanning, public choice and garbage can) of public policy making.

·         State the theories of public policy implementation such as the complexity of joint action, implementation as evolution, top down and bottom up.

·         Describe the theories and criteria used in policy/programme evaluation.

·         Identify the challenges to effective public policy making and implementation African countries.

·         Design policies and programmes.

·         Analyze policies and programmes.

·         Think and act systems whenever they are confronted with a public policy issue.

4.  Instructional Methodology

This class will use a seminar/workshop format and will meet for three hours once a week. It will comprise a combination of lectures, discussions, student presentations and term papers.

5.  Evaluation

Seminar presentation by student                                                                                15%

Term paper of 15 pages on student’s choice of topic                                                 15%

Written Examination                                                                                                   70%

Total                                                                                                                            100

COURSE TOPICS AND READINGS

WEEK 1

The nature and scope of public policy making: definitions of theory, model, policy, decision, programme, public policy and policy analysis; characteristics of public policy and importance of studying public policy; wicked problems

Michael Kraft and Scott Furlong Public Policy: Politics, Analysis and  Alternatives.  5th  Edition. (SAGE Publications, CQ Press, 2015).

Thomas Dye, Understanding Public Policy, 2edn. (New Jersey: Englewood Cliffs, 1991). James Anderson, Public Policy Making, 3ed. (New York: CBS College, 1984).

Y. Dror, Public Policy Making Re-examined (Scranton: Chandler, 1968).

William Dunn, Public Policy Analysis: An Introduction, 2edn. (New Jersey: Englewood Cliffs, 1994).

J.R.A. Ayee, “Policy Making: Approaches and Concepts”, in Kayode Odusote (ed.) West African Postgraduate Medical College: Health Service Management, Course Manual Vol. 2 Series 1, 1996, Unit 2: Public Administration Module 1.

J.R.A. Ayee, Saints, Wizards, Demons and Systems: Explaining the Success of Public Policies and Programmes in Ghana (Accra: Ghana Universities Press, 2000).

James Lester and J. Stewart, Jnr., Public Policy: An Evolutionary Approach, 2edn (Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, 2000).

B.W. Hogwood and L. Gunn, Policy Analysis for the Real World (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1984).

Frank Ohemeng, Barbara Carroll, Joseph Ayee and Alexander Bilson Darku. The Public Policy Making Process in Ghana: How Politicians and Civil Servants Deal with Public Problems (New York: Edwin Mellen Press, 2012).

Joseph R.A. Ayee, Saints, Wizards, Demons and Systems: Explaining the Success of Public Policies and Programmes in Ghana (Accra: Ghana Universities Press, 2000).

Frank Fischer, Gerald Miller and Mara Sidney (eds.) Handbook of Public Policy Analysis: Theory, Politics and Methods. (New York/London: CRC Press, 2007).

R.K. Sapru Public Policy: Formulation, Implementation and Evaluation (New Delhi: Sterling, 2004).

Y. Dror, The Capacity to Govern: A Report to the Club of Rome (London: Frank Cass, 2002).

Y. Dror, Avant-Garde Politician: Leaders for a New Epoch (Washington, DC: Westphalia Press, 2014).

B.W. Head and J. Alford “Wicked Problems: Implications for Public Policy and Management”,

Administration & Society, 47(6), 2015: 711–739.

H.W.J. Rittel & Webber, M. M. “Dilemmas in a General Theory of Planning”, Policy Sciences, 4, 1973: 155-169.

E.P. Weber and Anne M. Khademian “Wicked Problems, Knowledge Challenges, and Collaborative Capacity Builders in Network Settings”, Public Administration Review, March/April: 2008: 334-349.

WEEK 2

The policy sciences; the methods or procedures of public policy analysis (policy problem structuring, forecasting policy futures; recommending policy actions, monitoring policy outcomes and evaluating policy performance)

Thomas Dye, Understanding Public Policy, 2edn. (New Jersey: Englewood Cliffs, 1991). James Anderson, Public Policy Making, 3ed. (New York: CBS College, 1984).

Y. Dror, Public Policy Making Re-examined (Scranton: Chandler, 1968).

William Dunn, Public Policy Analysis: An Introduction, 2edn. (New Jersey: Englewood Cliffs, 1994).

B.W. Hogwood and L. Gunn, Policy Analysis for the Real World (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1984).

Joseph R.A. Ayee, “Policy Making: Approaches and Concepts”, in Kayode Odusote (ed.) West African Postgraduate Medical College: Health Service Management, Course Manual Vol. 2 Series 1, 1996, Unit 2: Public Administration Module 1.

Frank Fischer, Gerald Miller and Mara Sidney (eds.) Handbook of Public Policy Analysis: Theory, Politics and Methods. (New York/London, CRC Press, 2007).

R.K. Sapru Public Policy: Formulation, Implementation and Evaluation (New Delhi: Sterling, 2004).

Y. Dror, The Capacity to Govern: A Report to the Club of Rome (London: Frank Cass, 2002).

Y. Dror, Avant-Garde Politician: Leaders for a New Epoch (Washington, DC: Westphalia Press, 2014).

WEEK 3

The phases of the policy cycle (agenda setting; formulation; implementation; evaluation; policy change; and policy termination)

James Lester and J. Stewart, Jnr., Public Policy: An Evolutionary Approach, 2edn (Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, 2000).

M.S. Grindle and J.W. Thomas, Public Choices and Policy Change (Baltimore: The Johns Hopkins University Press, 1991).

Joseph R.A. Ayee, “Policy Making: Approaches and Concepts”, in Kayode Odusote (ed.) West African Postgraduate Medical College: Health Service Management, Course Manual Vol. 2 Series 1, 1996, Unit 2: Public Administration Module 1.

Thomas Dye, Understanding Public Policy, 2edn. (New Jersey: Englewood Cliffs, 1991). James Anderson, Public Policy Making, 3ed. (New York: CBS College, 1984).

R.K. Sapru Public Policy: Formulation, Implementation and Evaluation (New Delhi: Sterling, 2004).

WEEK 4

The policy environment (defining the policy environment; internal and external factors; primary and secondary policy makers and actors; turbulence and unpredictable of the policy environment)

James Lester and J. Stewart, Jnr., Public Policy: An Evolutionary Approach, 2edn (Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, 2000).

M.S. Grindle and J.W. Thomas, Public Choices and Policy Change (Baltimore: The Johns Hopkins University Press, 1991).

Joseph R.A. Ayee, “Policy Making: Approaches and Concepts”, in Kayode Odusote (ed.) West African Postgraduate Medical College: Health Service Management, Course Manual Vol. 2 Series 1, 1996, Unit 2: Public Administration Module 1.

Thomas Dye, Understanding Public Policy, 2edn. (New Jersey: Englewood Cliffs, 1991). James Anderson, Public Policy Making, 3ed. (New York: CBS College, 1984).

Frank Ohemeng, Barbara Carroll, Joseph Ayee and Alexander Bilson Darku. The Public Policy Making Process in Ghana: How Politicians and Civil Servants Deal with Public Problems (New York: Edwin Mellen Press, 2012).

Joseph R.A. Ayee, Saints, Wizards, Demons and Systems: Explaining the Success of Public Policies and Programmes in Ghana (Accra: Ghana Universities Press, 2000).

R.K. Sapru Public Policy: Formulation, Implementation and Evaluation (New Delhi: Sterling, 2004).

Y. Dror, The Capacity to Govern: A Report to the Club of Rome (London: Frank Cass, 2002).

Y. Dror, Avant-Garde Politician: Leaders for a New Epoch (Washington, DC: Westphalia Press, 2014).

WEEK 5 & 6

The descriptive theories/models of public policy: elite, group/pluralist, systems, institutional and policy communities and networks models

Michael Hill (ed.) The Policy Process: A Reader (London: Harvester Wheatsheaf, 1993). AAPAM, Public Policy Making in Africa (Addis Ababa: Artistic Printers, 1991).

Charles Lindblom, The Policy Making Process (New Jersey: Englewood Cliffs, 1980).

Joseph R.A. Ayee, “Policy Making: Approaches and Concepts”, in Kayode Odusote (ed.) West African Postgraduate Medical College: Health Service Management, Course Manual Vol. 2 Series 1, 1996, Unit 2: Public Administration Module 1.

Thomas Dye, Understanding Public Policy, 2edn. (New Jersey: Englewood Cliffs, 1991). James Anderson, Public Policy Making, 3ed. (New York: CBS College, 1984).

James Lester and J. Stewart, Jnr., Public Policy: An Evolutionary Approach, 2edn (Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, 2000).

R.K. Sapru Public Policy: Formulation, Implementation and Evaluation (New Delhi: Sterling, 2004).

WEEKS 7 & 8

Prescriptive theories/models of public policy making (rational choice models such as the rational comprehensive, incrementalism, mixed scanning, normative-optimal, bounded rationality-satisficing, public choice/rational choice, garbage can)

Michael Hill (ed.) The Policy Process: A Reader (London: Harvester Wheatsheaf, 1993). AAPAM, Public Policy Making in Africa (Addis Ababa: Artistic Printers, 1991).

Charles Lindblom, The Policy Making Process (New Jersey: Englewood Cliffs, 1980).

Joseph R.A. Ayee, “Policy Making: Approaches and Concepts”, in Kayode Odusote (ed.) West African Postgraduate Medical College: Health Service Management, Course Manual Vol. 2 Series 1, 1996, Unit 2: Public Administration Module 1.

Thomas Dye, Understanding Public Policy, 2edn. (New Jersey: Englewood Cliffs, 1991). James Anderson, Public Policy Making, 3ed. (New York: CBS College, 1984).

James Lester and J. Stewart, Jnr., Public Policy: An Evolutionary Approach, 2edn (Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, 2000).

R.K. Sapru Public Policy: Formulation, Implementation and Evaluation (New Delhi: Sterling, 2004).

P. Dorey, Policy Making in Britain: An Introduction (London: Sage, 2005).

WEEKS 8 & 9

Implementation of public policies; (implementation; theories of policy implementation: the complexity of joint action; implementation as evolution, top-down, bottom up and interactive models)

J. Pressman and A. Wildavsky, Implementation, 3ed. (Berkeley: University of California Press, 1984).

M. Grindle (ed.) Politics and Policy Implementation in the Third World (Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1980).

M.S. Grindle and J.W. Thomas Public Choices and Policy Change: The Political Economy of Reform in Developing Countries (Baltimore/London: The Johns Hopkins University Press, 1991).

Joseph  R.A.  Ayee,  “Some  Theoretical  Models  of  Policy  Implementation:  An Assessment”,

Greenhill Journal of Administration, Vol. 8, No. 1, 1991: 15-30.

Joseph R.A. Ayee, An Anatomy of Public Policy Implementation: The Case of Decentralization Policies in Ghana (Aldershot, England: Avebury, 1994).

Michael Hill (ed.) The Policy Process: A Reader (London: Harvester Wheatsheaf, 1993).

Joseph R.A. Ayee, “Policy Making: Approaches and Concepts”, in Kayode Odusote (ed.) West African Postgraduate Medical College: Health Service Management, Course Manual Vol. 2 Series 1, 1996, Unit 2: Public Administration Module 1.

James Lester and J. Stewart, Jnr., Public Policy: An Evolutionary Approach, 2edn (Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, 2000).

B.W. Hogwood and L. Gunn, Policy Analysis for the Real World (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1984).

R.K. Sapru Public Policy: Formulation, Implementation and Evaluation (New Delhi: Sterling, 2004).

WEEKS 10 &11

Policy Monitoring and Evaluation: (characteristics of successful analysis; types of policy failures; the policy evaluation continuum – ex-ante policy analysis; policy maintenance; policy monitoring; ex-post evaluation; types of ex-post evaluation – before and after comparison; with and without comparison; actual versus planned performance comparison; criteria for evaluation -effectiveness, efficiency, adequacy, appropriateness, equity and responsiveness) and techniques (such as cost benefit analysis; cost effectiveness analysis); principles of quick evaluation

M. Bovens and P. t’Hart, “Revisiting the Study of Policy Failures”, European Journal of Public Policy, 2016 at http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/13501763.2015.1127273.

M. Howlett, “The Lessons of Failure: Learning and Blame Avoidance in Public Policy”,

International Political Science Review 33(5) 2012: 539–55.

Joseph R.A. Ayee, “Policy Making: Approaches and Concepts”, in Kayode Odusote (ed.) West African Postgraduate Medical College: Health Service Management, Course Manual Vol. 2 Series 1, 1996, Unit 2: Public Administration Module 1.

William Dunn, Public Policy Analysis: An Introduction, 2edn. (New Jersey: Englewood Cliffs, 1994).

James Lester and J. Stewart, Jnr., Public Policy: An Evolutionary Approach, 2edn (Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, 2000).

B.W. Hogwood and L. Gunn, Policy Analysis for the Real World (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1984).

R.C. Rist (ed.) Policy Evaluation (Aldershot: Edward Elgar, 1995).

Frank Fischer, Gerald Miller and Mara Sidney (eds.) Handbook of Public Policy Analysis: Theory, Politics and Methods (New York/London, CRC Press, 2007).

R.K. Sapru, Public Policy: Formulation, Implementation and Evaluation (New Delhi: Sterling, 2004).

WEEK 11

Policy Communication (essence of policy communication; policy communication documents

– policy memorandum; policy issue paper, executive summary, press releases and policy briefs; skills for policy communication: synthesis, analysis, use of visual aids such as power point presentation, use of boxes, charts, organograms, tables, graphs, pie charts and tables)

William Dunn, Public Policy Analysis: An Introduction, 2edn. (New Jersey: Englewood Cliffs, 1994).

James Lester and J. Stewart, Jnr., Public Policy: An Evolutionary Approach, 2edn (Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, 2000).

B.W. Hogwood and L. Gunn, Policy Analysis for the Real World (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1984).

WEEK 12

Policy making in Africa: issues, challenges and prospects

Dele Olowu & Soumana Sako (eds.) Better Governance and Public Policy: Capacity Building for Democratic Renewal in Africa (Bloomfield, CT.: Kumarian, 2002).

M.S. Grindle and J.W. Thomas, Public Choices and Policy Change (Baltimore: The Johns Hopkins University Press, 1991).

R.H. Bates & A.O. Krueger (eds.) Political and Economic Interactions in Economic Policy Reform

(Cambridge: Blackwell, 1993).

Joseph R.A. Ayee, Saints, Wizards, Demons and Systems: Explaining the Success of Public Policies and Programmes in Ghana (Accra: Ghana Universities Press, 2000).

Joseph R.A. Ayee, “Policy Management in Ghana: The Case of the Value-Added Tax (VAT)”, African Journal of Public Administration and Management, Vol. VIII-IX, No. 2 (July), 1997: 51- 64.

Roger Tangri, The Politics of Patronage in Africa: Parastatals, Privatization and Private Enterprise (Oxford: James Currey, 1999).

Michael Todaro, Economic Development, 7^th edn (New York: Addison-Wesley, 2000).

J. Herbst, The Politics of Reform in Ghana, 1982-1991 (Berkeley: University of California Press, 1993).

Eboe Hutchful, Ghana’s Adjustment Experience: The Paradox of Reform (Geneva/Accra/Oxford: UNRISD/Woeli/James Currey, 2002).

Frank Ohemeng and Joseph R.A. Ayee, “Public Policy Making: The Ghanaian Context”, in Frank Ohemeng, Barbara Carroll, Joseph R.A. Ayee and Alexander Bilson Darku (eds.) The Public Policy Making Process in Ghana: How Politicians and Civil Servants Deal with Public Problems (New York: Edwin Mellen Press, 2012), Chapter 2, pp. 19-51.

Joseph R.A. Ayee, “Politicians and Bureaucrats as Generators of Public Policy in Ghana”, in Frank Ohemeng, Barbara Carroll, Joseph R.A. Ayee and Alexander Bilson Darku (eds.) The Public Policy Making Process in Ghana: How Politicians and Civil Servants Deal with Public Problems (New York: Edwin Mellen Press, 2012), Chapter 3, pp. 53-68.

Joseph R.A. Ayee, “Extractive Resources Policy in Ghana”, in Frank Ohemeng, Barbara Carroll, Joseph R.A. Ayee and Alexander Bilson Darku (eds.) The Public Policy Making Process in Ghana: How Politicians and Civil Servants Deal with Public Problems (New York: Edwin Mellen Press, 2012), Chapter 10, pp. 247-268.

Y. Dror, The Capacity to Govern: A Report to the Club of Rome (London: Frank Cass, 2002).

Y. Dror, Avant-Garde Politician: Leaders for a New Epoch (Washington, DC: Westphalia Press, 2014).

WEEK 13

Applied Case Studies/Policy Areas: Selected case studies in policy areas such as the economy; budget; taxation; land; decentralization; governance; environment; and security.

K. Ahwoi, Local Government & Decentralisation in Ghana (Accra: Unimax Macmillan, 2010).

J.R.A. Ayee, “Ghana: Decentralization in at Two-Party Democracy”, in J. Tyler Dickovick and James S. Wunsch (eds.) Decentralization in Africa: The Paradox of State Strength (Boulder, CO.: Lynne Rienner, 2014): Chapter 5: 91-112.

J.R.A. Ayee, “The Political Economy of the Creation of Districts in Ghana”, Journal of Asian and African Studies, Vol. 48 No. 5, (October 2013): 623-645

J.R.A. Ayee, "Policy Management in Ghana: The Case of the Value-Added Tax (VAT)" African Journal of Public Administration and Management (AJPAM), Vol. VIII-IX, No. 2 (July 1997): 51- 64.

J. R.A. Ayee, “The Formulation and Implementation of Environmental Policy in Ghana”, Africa Development Vol. XXIII, No. 2, 1998): 99-119.

E. Debrah, E. Gyimah-Boadi, A. Essuman-Johnson and K.A. Ninsin (eds.) Ghana: Essays in the Study of Political Science (Legon: University of Ghana, 2014).

K. Hanson, G. Kararach & T.M. Shaw (eds.) Rethinking Development Challenges for Public Policy: Insights from Contemporary Africa (London: Palgrave MacMillan, 2012).

Roll, M. (ed.) The Politics of Public Sector Performance: Pockets of Effectiveness in Developing Countries (London/New York: Palgrave Macmillan, 2014).

K.  Hanson,  C,  D'Alessandro  &  F.   Owusu  (eds.).     Managing Africa’s Natural Resources: Capacities for Development. London: Palgrave MacMillan, 2014).

R. Tangri, The Politics of Patronage in Africa: Parastatals, Privatization and Private Enterprise

(Oxford: James Currey, 1999).

Y. Dror, The Capacity to Govern: A Report to the Club of Rome (London: Frank Cass, 2002).

Y. Dror, Avant-Garde Politician: Leaders for a New Epoch (Washington, DC: Westphalia Press, 2014).

E. Debrah, E. Gyimah-Boadi, A. Essuman-Johnson and K.A. Ninsin (eds.) Ghana: Essays in the Study of Political Science (Legon: University of Ghana, 2014).

SEMINAR TOPICS

1.          What is public policy and what are its characteristics? Why is the study of public policy important?

2.       Examine the concept of wicked problems. Give examples to illustrate your points.

3.        Comment on the view that the policy sciences have achieved “half a century of activity with some success, some trepidation and misgivings”.

4.       What is public policy analysis? What are its procedures?

5.      The “weaknesses of the policy cycle underscore the complexity of the policy process”. Discuss.

6.        Why is the policy environment unpredictable and turbulent? Give examples to illustrate your points.

7.        Examine David Easton’s systems model of public policy making. Give examples to illustrate your points.

8.       Compare and contrast the elite, pluralist and institutional models of public policy making.

9.        Compare and contrast the complexity of joint action and implementation as evolution models of implementation.

10.        Compare and contrast the top-up and bottom-up models of implementation.

11.        The rational comprehensive model is “misguided at best and mischievous at worst”. Discuss.

12.        Comment on the view that Amitai Etzioni’s mixed scanning model of public policy making is an amalgam of the rational comprehensive and disjointed incremental models.

13.          Discuss the features, strengths and weaknesses of the garbage can model of public policy making.

14.            The public choice theory is “associated with economic ideas of efficiency … supports recommendations from consumer preferences … and takes advantage of market opportunities”. Discuss and illustrate with examples.

15.         Compare and contrast Herbert Simon’s bounded rationality-satisficing model and Yehezkel Dror’s normative optimum model.

16.         What contribution, if any, has the policy communities and networks model made to public policy making?

17.          Distinguish between policy monitoring and evaluation? What are the nine criteria used in evaluating public policies and programmes? Give examples to illustrate your points.

18.        Compare and contrast the cost benefit analysis (CBA) and cost effectiveness analysis (CEA). How useful are they in evaluating public policies and programmes?

19.        How does the model of “Saints, Wizards, Demons and Systems” explain the success or failure of public policies and programmes? Give examples to illustrate your points.

20.        Comment on the view that the interactive model of implementation is a more suitable model to understanding the vicissitudes of implementation in developing countries

21.        What is wrong with public policies and programmes in Africa? What pragmatic strategies can be adopted to address the challenges?

22.        What is policy communication? What are the tools used in the policy communication process and what are some of the challenges faced in the use of such tools in African countries?