SU 05 introduction to public administration systems and policy in south africa

Presentation

1. PADM/LGAM 321 STUDY UNIT 05 Agenda Setting for Policy Change 12 August 2024 1

2. Policy Agenda Setting Learning Objectives - explaining the factors contributing to policy change - analyse and assess the reason for policy success and failure - understanding the role of agenda setting in the public policy process - identify a recent public policy change issue in south Africa and determine the nature of the policy change - understand the different approach to and strategies for public policy agenda setting - Critically assess a government or interest group’s policy agenda setting approach and methods. 12 August 2024 2

3. Agenda Setting for Policy Change The initiation of policy change takes place through a process that has become known as agenda setting . An agenda is a tool to facilitate the proceedings at meeting in order to ensure that its main purpose are achieved. It normally orders the discussion during the meeting and makes sure that the most important discussion items are dealt with first to ensure that they receive priority. Note: Policy agenda setting is a crucial phase in every stage of the policy cycle for three main reasons. 12 August 2024 3

4. Agenda Setting for Policy change Agenda -is a mechanism used to facilitate the meeting. - It ensures that the main purpose of the meeting is achieved, as its priorities the main items. -The higher the item in the agenda the better attention it will receive. Agenda setting -is about getting problems to the government Policy agenda setting- is a deliberate planning process through which -( policy issues are identified ; problems are defined ; problems are prioritized ; Support is mobilized ; decision makers are lobbied ) 12 August 2024 4

5. Agenda Setting for Policy Change Policy agenda setting is a crucial phase in every stage of the policy cycle for three main reasons These three are characterised as components of policy agenda setting - firstly , it determines and prioritized what policy issues are addressed . - secondly . it determines who influence or control the policymaking process - thirdly , how stakeholders influence the policy agenda. - Agenda Setting is therefore both substantive (related to what is done ) and procedural (related to who acts , why and how ). 12 August 2024 5

6. Agenda Setting for Policy Change Policy entrepreneurs : are the individual policy opinion influencers who identify issues or problem in society that can and should according to them , be resolved or improved in specific ways (Shockely&Frank, 2022) Policy entrepreneurs attempt to influence the general public opinion as well as specific public sector decision makers or the people who influence them ( e.g. advisors; consultants; colleagues, friends or family). Policy entrepreneurs normally use whatever means and instrument at their disposal to achieve their goals 12 August 2024 6

7. Agenda Setting for Policy Change Elites play an important role in initiating democratic social changes at different levels in society….. starting out with normative changes in the minds of the elite themselves and followed by behavioural changes and some structural changes in elite institutions . These influences seep through to the population at large through the opinion –making role of elites gradually transforming mass institutions , mass behaviour and (hopefully), eventually , mass values. 12 August 2024 7

8. Policy change approach These influences seep through or cascade down to the population through elites influence. 12 August 2024 8 Elite value Change starts Elites initiates reform actions Elites structures/ s ubsystem a re created Mass value change i s consolidated a way of life New processes c hange mass behavior Mass structures c reate new processes

9. S uccessful policy change therefore also depend on the level of resistance or support for change initiatives from the government of the day : - Make it happen : government initiates policy change , defines the problem and set priorities and goals unilaterally or consultatively. - Encourage it to happen : government support and encourages external policy entrepreneurs and stakeholders but not take the initiative for various reasons. 12 August 2024 9

10. - Let it happen : government takes a passive role and allows policy entrepreneur to mobiles support for policy change. - Resist it happening : government opposes external policy change attempt for various reasons 12 August 2024 10

11. Problem Identification - The problem has to be identified in terms of the nature and range of the current government service provision. - Policy problems can be identified as a situation that leads to unfulfilled needs amongst the citizens. - They identify themselves by the attention they generate in public debates. The longer, more intense and widespread debates about an issues the stronger and more urgent the need to deal with it. For instance; legalizing sex work, death penalty and free education - The need has to be identified and brought to the attention of the policy maker. 12 August 2024 11

12. Problem Identification - In order to reach agenda status a public problem has to transformed into an issue that requires the attention of government. There are two types of agendas : - Systematic -Consist of all issues that are seen by all members of the political community as deserving public attention( high rate of unemployment in SA ) - Institutional -all issues that require active and deliberate attention of public policy makers- it means the cabinet, government, department and other policy makers will priorities these matters( spread of Covid 19 ) Cloete F., DE Coning, C. Wissink , H & Rabie, B. 2018. Improving Public Policy: For Good Governance. 4th edition( Study Unit 05 ) 12 August 2024 12

13. Problem Identification - Is the way in which policy problem is being structured. -The problem definition will determine the feasibility, manageability of the policy design and the implementation strategies devised to deal with it. - In order to achieve a successful policy outcome, there must be a clear understanding of the main elements of the issue or problem. 12 August 2024 13

14. Problem Prioritisation - Most governments face lot of policy problems which can be referred to as a system overload. - Therefore, the government must filter or priorities policy issues ( HOW ) - The problem must reach crisis and can no longer be ignored( taxi violence in Cape town ) - Must attract media attention, issues of life and death ( cholera death toll in Hammaskraal ) - Issues that have a wide impact ( spread of Covid 19 ) 12 August 2024 14

15. Policy Agenda - It is important because; - It determines and prioritizes what policy issues are addressed - It determines who influences policy making process -And how stakeholders influence the policy agenda 12 August 2024 15

16. How can the public make known of their biggest and most urgent needs - Voting for parties that can best represent them - Pressure groups are the best to convey the message to government by organizing marches - Draw up memorandums and petitions - Media can also help communicate issues 12 August 2024 16

17. How does policy agenda setting work - Public participation It also define community engagement as the many ways in which government connect with citizens and stakeholders in the development and implementation of policies, programmes and services . The public participate in community meetings in their wards, they give mandate to their leaders and expect feedback. Community participation consist of four different types of involvement - Ratification - Consultation - Negotiation - Join partnership 12 August 2024 17

18. Forms of involvement - Ratification : It means approval of decision after they have been taken. It’s a weak form of participation in that it just support the decisions taken but cannot influence the decision. - Consultation : It means getting suggestions, opinions and advise from the community. It’s a weak form of participation if the decision maker is not committed to accept views of the community. There is no guarantee that the decision maker will adhere to the views of the community. 12 August 2024 18

19. Forms of involvement Negotiation : It means direct involvement in discussions in decision making through agreement on policy issues in a peaceful way. This is an effective form of participation because if gives an opportunity to be part of the decision making even if it does not guarantee agreement. Joint partnership : It means direct involvement in the planning, drafting, implementing and evaluation of policy programmes once the decision to adopt them has been taken. This is the most effective form of participation as it gives one the opportunity to monitor and be part of the process to ensure that the policy is being implemented correctly. 12 August 2024 19

20. Forms of involvement Community participation can be initiated or stimulated in two ways: - by individuals or organization ( often a high level government authority or NGO ) working as a development agency in the community but not always with community members (called top - down participation - by individuals or interested groups working with the community without external nudges from higher governmental stakeholders (called spontaneous , voluntarily , bottom – up participation 12 August 2024 20

21. Role player/Participants Official policy makers- are those who have legal authority to formulate policy such as legislatures and judges. Unofficial - Are those who do not have legal authority to make binding decisions such as political parties and individuals. 12 August 2024 21

22. Official policy makers - Legislators - They draw up public laws - Political executive officials -They have the final say in the legislation or budget proposal brought before them. - Public officials as policy makers -Directors- they provide advise, analyze and evaluate. - The courts - Constitutional court which decide if any bill or act did not neglect constitutional obligation. 12 August 2024 22

23. Official policy makers - Commission of enquiry - i t has members that are expert and the chairperson is neutral . e.g. Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC); State Capture Commission; Life Esidimeni inquest. - Research institutions - provide scientific information and research inputs on policy matters e.g. HSRC ; NRF. - International institutions - they provide public policies and standards that are followed by all countries e.g. International Labour Organization(ILO) ; International Criminal Court (ICC); International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL) 12 August 2024 23

24. Unofficial policy makers - Individual citizen - This are people with no offices, no riches, no special information or any source of power except the members. They can hold meetings and marches and vote to influence the policy. - Political parties - Help the citizens to bring their most urgent needs to the attention of government - They choose issues that are seen as popular and target a specific segment of the population to defend their interest. This is done to trigger the voters interest 12 August 2024 24

25. Unofficial policy makers - Interest groups - These are groups of people who share interest and do all they can to protect and promote their own interest by influencing the decision making process. The success is determined by the number of members, monitory resources and expertise of the leaders to negotiate with policy makers. - Media - They help portray what's in the kind of the public and the policy makers cannot ignore 12 August 2024 25

26. Cloete F., DE Coning, C. Wissink , H & Rabie , B. 2024. Improving Public Policy: For sustainable development impact in digital era. 5th edition. 12 August 2024 26

27. Thank you very much! 12 August 2024 27