What is policy implementation
It is the translation of politicians’ decisions into concrete actions. They are referred to as execution or enforcement. Therefore they are a purview of the executive and not legislative branch of government
Example of policy implementation
- No littering enforced by Bylaw officers
- No tax on student loan interest enforced by a CRA worker
- Subsidized child care enforced by CC worker
- Child care benefit enforced by the government
- Child abuse and neglect enforced by social worker
Why worry about implementation (1)
- Democratic dilemma:
- We want decision-makers accountable, legislators make policy, bureaucrats implement them
- The division is not so simply because bureaucrats have their own values and act on their interest
Why worry about implementation (2)
- Efficiency dilemma:
- We expect implementation to be efficient. However the government is less efficient than private sector.
- This is because economic efficiency is not primary goal of gov’t depts
Describe the steps in the rational–hierarchical model
- Instrument Choice: Politicians pick best tools for policy
- Communication: Tell bureaucracy what to do, with clear goals.
- Program Delivery: Deliver the goods, hire staff, write cheques, run program
Wrong assumptions of the R-H model and its reality
1) Formulation and implementation separate activities, occur sequentially. The reality is that they can overlap considerably, especially with policy already in existence
2) Division: Policymakers set goals, implementers carry them out. The reality is that goals are often unclear, ambiguous and policymakers often want to influence implementation
3) Goals precise, easy to carry out. Reality is that goals are difficult to measure and they can conflict
4) Implementers possess skills and will. Reality is that not all workers have the skill and the government values might also conflict with implementers
5) Implementation unaffected by external environment. Reality is that those events can change goals
6) Implementation always technical, non-political. Reality is that implementers have their own value and everything is political, laws also leave for discretion
