Whereas political science focuses mainly on politics or polity, this course studies the policy output of the political process: the measures aimed at providing solutions to problems. Though policy-making is meant to be a rational, in practice, it is fraught with problems. The power of political actors to realize their goals is limited by major countervailing powers, as well as problems of implementation. Thus, policy is often the result of great compromises that lead to vague, contradictory, or undesired measures. 

Decision-making, or the formulation, implementation, and enforcement of policy, is a central theme of this course. So-called ‘street level’ bureaucrats decide how regulations created by policymakers at the top actually affect the lives of citizens and businesses. In our discussion of choice, we look at several popular theories in political science, public administration, and policy studies: rational choice institutionalism, sociological institutionalism, and historical institutionalism. We focus on policy instruments such as money/tax income, law, science, bureaucracy, democratic participation, and the involvement of interest groups, as well as the paradoxes surrounding their use by policymakers. As instruments or ‘forms’ of policy measures, they enable public policies, but also pose limits and constraints. 

 

Format
Topical lectures introduce the basic material each week. During seminars, students participate actively as they engage in discussions, presentations, and other class activities.