Arca & Juaneza
PSPA 4101
MODULE II
THE STUDY OF
PUBLIC POLICY
OBJECTIVES
Define policy science;
Identify and explain the SUB-FIELDS
of policy Science ;
Analyze the evolution of the field of
policy science;
Describe the relation of policy science
with other fields of study; and
Appreciate how the study of public
policy evolved in the Philippines .
WHAT IS POLICY In the social science world,the study public
SCIENCE? policy is known as " policy science".
Dennis Palumbo Yehezkel Dror Romeo Ocampo
Policy science is any research that Policy science refers to the Policy science refers to teaching,
relates to or promotes the public application of knowledge and research, and related academic
interest. rationality to perceived social and professional activities aimed
problems. at gaining and applying knowledge
for the improvement of
government policies.
Leadership Presentation
WHATIS POLICY In the social science world,the study
SCIENCE? public policy is known as " policy
science".
Peter De Leon Maria Fe Mendoza Carmelo Rico Bihasa
"An umbrella term describing a Policy science is multi-disciplinary, eclectic, Policy science is a field of study
broad-guage intellectual approach problem solving activity intended to which treats of public policy as the
applied to the examination of improve societal situations; it is descriptive, calculated response of the
societally critical problems." evaluative, and prescriptive, it is both policy government to a perceived
studies and policy analyses; it is both, societal problem and as the
theoretical and practical, pure and applied; product of carefully selected
and it is an applied social science, social processes in reaction to the
engineering, design science, and naturalistic demands of the general public.
inquiry.
SUB-FIELDS OF
POLICY SCIENCE
These sub-fields are among the specialized processe that are normally studied in the
discipline of policy science and are considered as instrumental in understanding the
concept of public policy.
Policy Analysis
01 It considered as an "ex ante" policy process
according to Kevin Smith and Christopher Larimer
(2009)
Policy Evolution
02 As an "ex post" undertaking in the field of public policy.
The primary objective of the sub-field is to assess the
performance of a government policy as to how far it has
achieved its objectives.
Policy Process
03 Focuses on the different stages on how and why a certain policy is
formulated, adopted, implemented, and evaluated according interested in
answering the research questions of "why does the government pay
attention to to Kevin Smith and Christopher Larimer (2009).
LESS PROMINENT SUB-FIELDS OF
POLICY SCIENCE
Policy and Politics
01
Goes beyond the ordinary policy process by determining the
influence of politics to public policies. It seeks to answer the research
question, "does politics cause policy or policy cause politics".
Policg Design
02 It looks at the objectives of the public policy on how it distributes power
and benefits. It assesses how the values are represented in the policy like
whether the policy favours the application of stiffer penalties or
eradication of policy violations.
Policy Science
03
Answers the research questions like "how do people perceive problems and policies",
"how and why do policies distribute power", and "whose values are represented by
policy".
Policymakers and Policymaking
03 Focuses on the policymakers that decide on the kind of policy that will be
enacted and implemented in response to a policy demand.
CHARACTERISTICS OF POLICY SCIENCE
Problem-Oriented
Focuses on identifying and solving
real-world societal problems
Multi-Disciplinary
Draws knowledge from various fields
such as political science, economics,
sociology, and more
Value-Oriented
Considers ethical, cultural, and public
values in policy development and
These characteristics and peculiarities of analysis.
the policy science explain it's unique Methodologically Sophisticated
dimension which sets it apart from other Uses advanced and diverse research methods
to analyze and evaluate policies effectively.
traditional discipline in the social sciences.
Theoretically Sophisticated
Grounded in rich theoretical frameworks
to understand complex policy issues.
EVOLUTION OF POLICY SCIENCE
A. Historical background and global development
Emerged in the middle of the 20th century during complex societal
problems in American society after the Second World War.
Harold Lasswell regarded social sciences as means to resolve
societal problems.
Policy science embodied knowledge from political science, public
administration, sociology, and economics.
Adopted by several administrative agencies in the U.S. federal
government.
Popularity slowed down as political necessities overshadowed the
discipline.
B. MAJOR CONTRIBUTION AND KEY MOMENTS IN THE FIELD'S DEVELOPMENT
TWO PERSPECTIVE OF DEVELOPMENT:
01 Institutional growth – Beryl Radin; application in
government agencies, private corporations, and civic
institutions; compared with Progressive Movement;
“linear progression” from few practitioners to many
agencies, think tanks, and universities.
02 Political growth – Peter De Leon; emerged through series
of political events creating analytic opportunities and
challenges; “supply” and “demand” for policy experts.
B. MAJOR CONTRIBUTION AND KEY MOMENTS IN THE FIELD'S DEVELOPMENT
KEY POLITICAL EVENTS:
Second World War – problem-oriented analyzes to
help Allies.
War on Poverty – “glory days” of policy science;
addressing deep-seated poverty.
Vietnam War – application in war strategy; failure to
consider non-quantitative factors.
Watergate Scandal – violation of moral norms and
public trust.
Energy Crisis of the 1970s – policy options on
petroleum reserves and energy competition.
End of the Cold War – policy analytic approach
leading to USSR collapse.
C. From traditional governance to modern
policymaking approach
From limited analytic approach to
widespread adoption in
government and private sector.
Technocrats in government
agencies delivering analytical
skills.
Applications in think tanks and
universities.
Out-of-the-box policy analytic
approaches for complex issues.
Policy Science and
Other Related Fields
The growth of policy science shares experiences with
other related disciplines in developing its own distinct
academic literature. It started with support from related
disciplines that provided essential theories and principles
in its early development. Harold Lasswell used social
sciences to solve societal problems in the United States
and proposed the field of policy science, embodying
knowledge from political science, public administration,
sociology, and economics. Lisa L. Fan (2013) noted that
public policy as an academic discipline is relatively
young compared to political science, sociology,
economics, and psychology.
Political Science
Political science is one of the closely related disciplines to the study of public policy. It
is a basic discipline in the social sciences which maintains close association with
history, economics, sociology, anthropology, geography, and psychology.
Public Administration
Public administration refers to the
management of men and materials
in the accomplishment of the
purposes of the state. It relates to
the conduct of the business of
government and the affairs of any
social organization.
Sociology
Sociology begins with the notion
that humans are to be understood
in the context of their social life,
that we are social animals
influenced by interaction, social
patterns, and socialization.
Economics
Economics is the study of why individuals make a particular choice rather than
another when buying and selling, spending and saving. Economics explains how
businesses are formed to satisfy various wants and needs.
POLICY SCIENCE IN THE PHILIPPINES
Call for Broader Policy Science in Asia
Developing countries saw opportunity to introduce
developments via public policies.
Philippines’ initial articulation in 1978 by Prof. Romeo
Ocampo (UP College of Public Administration).
Ocampo’s Impetus for Policy Science
Influenced by expanding scope/authority of
government.
Growing number of programs/projects aimed at
Development in the Philippines vs. USA national development.
Need for policy science to support development
Philippine adoption less contentious; scholars found goals.
common ground.
Integrated into Public Administration rather than Political Support from Maria Fe Mendoza
Science.
Draws from multiple disciplines: social sciences, Philippine Advocated reforms as reason to introduce policy
studies, psychology, education, economics, business science.
administration. Published scholarly papers; supported creation of
public policy program in UP College of Public
Administration.
POLICY SCIENCE IN THE
PHILIPPINES
Ocampo’s
Mendoza’s Scholarly
Recommendations to
Perspective Leadership
Government
Public policy is a sub-field Ocampo and Mendoza
Define level/scope of public
of Public Administration. provided early, strong
policy clearly.
Indigenized and supported support.
Be explicit on policy objectives
by related disciplines. 1970s popularity of policy
to avoid inconsistencies.
Strengthened by science worldwide aided
Predict and evaluate
contribution of government adoption in PH.
outputs/outcomes, including
institutions and Public Administration gave
unintended consequences.
policy science best chance
policymakers.
to excel.
In the Philippines, policy science has developed into an essential branch of public administration.
In contrast to its controversial growth in the US, the field in the Philippines developed via
institutional support, consensus, and integration with other social sciences. Its emphasis on well-
defined goals, evaluation procedures, and evidence-based policymaking has enhanced its
ability to support national development. In order to help government agencies and legislators
create efficient, pertinent, and long-lasting policies for the advancement of the nation, policy
science continues to be a significant academic and applied discipline today.
THANK YOU FOR LISTENING
"The best public policy is made when you are listening to people who are going to be
impacted." ~ Elizabeth Dole
