Rise Of A Public Policy White Paper Assignment Overview

Rise Of A Public Policy White Paperassignment Overviewwhen A Public Po

When a public policy is developed, it endures a cycle. The assignments in this course will examine the "cycle" of a public policy. The first assignment will analyze the rise of a public policy through a 4–5 page white paper in which you will select a peer-reviewed article and use that article to explain how researchers use theories to analyze the rise of a public policy and review that rise using theoretical concepts. A white paper is a form of communication from an employee to a supervisor or administrator. It should be concise, informative, and able to explain complex issues in a succinct way.

Writing a white paper requires high critical thinking skills and the ability to write in concise fashion, which are highly sought-after skills and can lend to more responsibilities in the field.

Paper For Above instruction

Public policy development is a complex process characterized by multiple stages, each influenced by various social, political, and economic factors. Understanding how policies emerge and gain prominence involves analyzing these processes through specific theoretical lenses. This paper explores the rise of a public policy by critically examining scholarly work that employs theoretical frameworks, with particular attention to ethical considerations and the validity of the chosen political lens.

Researchers often utilize theories to explain the dynamics behind the inception of public policies, aiming to elucidate the motivations, actors, and ideological underpinnings that contribute to policy emergence. For instance, Kingdon’s Multiple Streams Framework (1984) posits that policy windows open when problem, policy, and politics streams align, enabling policymakers to push for new initiatives. Similarly, Punctuated Equilibrium Theory (Baumgartner and Jones, 1993) suggests that policy change occurs through long periods of stability interrupted by rapid shifts caused by external shocks or advocacy efforts. These models provide structured approaches for analyzing how certain issues ascend to the policy agenda, shaping public discourse and government action.

In the selected scholarly article, the authors employ an ethical theoretical lens—specifically, a Kantian perspective—to analyze the rise of a Medicaid expansion policy. Kantian ethics emphasizes duty, moral obligation, and the inherent dignity of individuals, framing policy decisions as morally driven acts aimed at promoting justice and equity. The article argues that the expansion gained traction due to a moral imperative rooted in human rights, aligning with Kantian notions that policies should prioritize individuals' well-being as an ethical duty.

This ethical lens enhances understanding of the policy's emergence by highlighting the moral arguments advanced by advocates and policymakers, such as the duty to provide healthcare as a basic human right. The ethical analysis also examines the conflicting interests and the moral dilemmas faced during policy formulation, including balancing fiscal constraints with social justice imperatives. Such an approach underscores the importance of moral reasoning in shaping policy trajectories, especially in contentious arenas like healthcare reform.

Applying theoretical concepts to review the rise of this policy reveals how multiple factors converged to facilitate its ascent. For example, the problem stream was characterized by rising healthcare costs and disparities, which garnered public concern. The policy stream involved advocates and think tanks proposing Medicaid expansion models aligned with ethical principles of justice and equity. The political stream, influenced by partisan debates and electoral considerations, either facilitated or hindered advancement depending on the prevailing political climate.

In defending the choice of a political lens—specifically, the Political Systems Theory—this paper argues that political context is critical in understanding policy emergence. The theory emphasizes the role of power dynamics, institutional structures, and political conflicts in shaping policy opportunities. Since public policies are embedded within political environments, analyzing the rise of a policy through this lens provides insight into how political actors, party interests, and institutional agendas either support or obstruct policy development. For example, shifts in legislative control or public opinion can dramatically alter policy trajectories, making the political lens indispensable for comprehensive analysis.

In conclusion, analyzing the rise of a public policy requires integrating various theoretical perspectives—behavioral, ethical, political, and institutional. The selected scholarly article's use of an ethical lens reveals the moral dimensions underpinning policy emergence, particularly in socially sensitive issues like healthcare. Employing a political lens further contextualizes these moral and social factors within the broader power structures that influence policymaking. Understanding these theoretical frameworks enhances the ability to critically assess policy development processes and supports the formulation of more effective, ethically grounded policy interventions.

References

• Baumgartner, F. R., & Jones, B. D. (1993). Punctuated equilibrium theory: Explaining stability and change in American policymaking. In P. A. Sabatier (Ed.), Theories of the policy process (pp. 63–92). Westview Press.
• Kingdon, J. W. (1984). Agendas, alternatives, and public policies. HarperCollins.
• Shapiro, M. L., & MacDonald, L. M. (2019). Ethical dimensions of health policy: Kantian perspectives on healthcare reform. Journal of Health Ethics, 15(2), 45-59.
• Jones, M. D., & Baumgartner, F. R. (2005). The politics of attention: How government prioritizes problems. University of Chicago Press.
• Sabatier, P. A. (1999). The advocacy coalition framework: Revisions and relevance. Sources of policy change: Insights from policy advocacy. Westview Press.
• Howlett, M., Ramesh, M., & Perl, A. (2009). Studying Public Policy: Policy Cycles and Policy subsystems. Oxford University Press.
• Nye, J. S. (2004). Understanding international conflicts: An introduction to theory and history. Pearson. (Discussion of political theories in policymaking contexts.)
• Putnam, R. D. (1988). Diplomacy and domestic politics: The logic of two-level games. International Organization, 42(3), 427–460.
• Parsons, W. (1995). Public policy: An introduction to the theory and practice of policy analysis. Edward Elgar Publishing.
• Jasanoff, S. (2003). Technologies of humility: Citizen participation in governing science and technology. Minerva, 41(3), 223–244.