Policy analysis is the study of public policy concerns and the development of possible solutions to the public policy concern

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Policy analysis is the study of public policy concerns and the development of possible solutions to the public policy concern. Public policy analysis borrows from rational decision-making. According to Michael Kraft, in rational decision-making, “one defines a problem, indicates the goals and objectives to be sought, considers a range of alternative solutions, evaluate each of the alternatives to clarify their consequences, and then recommends or chooses the alternative with the greatest potential for solving the problem” (Kraft, 2018).

According to Kraft, Public policy analysis contains five steps:

Step 1: Define and analyze the problem.
Who, what, when, where, and why is there a public policy concern?

Step 2: Construct policy alternatives.
What are the possible, public policy options?

Step 3: Choose evaluative criteria.
How do we evaluate the possible, public policy options?

Step 4: Assess the alternatives.
Which alternatives are better?

Step 5: Draw conclusions.
Which public policy option will you choose?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has an excellent resource on how the institution practices policy analysis.

A key component of public policy analysis is defining and understanding public policy concern. One must first identify the problem before one can offer possible public policy solutions.

Rachel Carson’s environmental activism is an example of understanding a public policy concern.

On September 27, 1962, Rachel Carson, a former U.S. Bureau of Fisheries employee, naturalist, and author, wrote the international bestseller Silent Spring, an environmental book that documented how synthetic chemical pesticides damage the environment, wildlife, and humans (Carson, 1962). Carson’s book was a synthesis of four years of scientific research: government reports, congressional testimony, and academic case studies (Lear, n.d.).

Rachel Carson starts Silent Spring with “A Fable for Tomorrow.” In this short story, Carson illustrates a small town beset by a strange blight.

According to Frank Graham, Jr., author of Since Silent Spring, “Carson said her purpose in writing this book was the first to inform the public about the downside of pesticides and to spur the government to take necessary action” (Graham Jr., 1970). The publication of Silent Spring, coupled with the ensuring media furor, chemical industry pushback, and Carson’s congressional testimony, ignited environmental, public policy debate.

For more information on Rachel Carson’s impact on environmental, public policy, please watch PBS’s documentary, “Rachel Carson”.

Directions: Using the required, academic readings, and supplemental academic research, please address the following while adhering to the Discussion Board Rubric:

  • Environmental policy
    • Endangered Species Act.
  • Using the rational decision-making model:
    • What is the chosen, public policy concerning issue?
    • Where is the chosen, public policy concerning issue?
    • Why is the chosen, public policy concerning issue?
    • How did the chosen, public policy concerning issue begin?
      • Did previous, public policies cause this concerning issue?
    • How can one better “frame” the concerning issue in terms of voter engagement?
    • How does your chosen, public policy concern benefit from public policy analysis?

References:

Carson, R. (1962). Silent spring. London: Penguin Books, in association with Hamish Hamilton.

Graham, F. (1970). Since silent spring. London: Hamilton.

Lear, L. (n.d.). Rachel Carson, The Life and Legacy. Retrieved from http://www.rachelcarson.org/