Chapter 17: Policy Making

Synopsis The institutions of national government have been described in earlier chapters. There we looked closely at how the nature of each institution affected policymaking. In this chapter we focus on policymaking across institutions.

In the first half of this chapter we distinguish different types of policies based on the approach used to solve problems. We then tie together the processes described in the chapters on the institutions of government into a general model of public policymaking. Finally, we analyze how the different levels and institutions of government can produce rather fragmented approaches to solving problems and examine those forces that work toward coordination in policymaking.

In the second half of this chapter we build on the discussion of fragmentation and coordination by looking at policymaking on issues where there are a very large number of actors trying to influence the outcome. The interrelationship between private sector actors and government officials is explained. The ongoing relationships between those who work in the same issue area are examined in detail. A beginning point for this discussion is the concept of iron triangles. A critique is offered, and the more recent concept of issue networks is outlined. A feature common to both iron triangles and issue networks is the movement of people back and forth between jobs in their policy subsystem. The problems of "in-and-outers" and of issue of networks are presented, and the broader implications for the conflict between pluralism and majoritarianism are explored.