Kingdon, Chapter 8, "The Policy Window, And Joining The Streams

Kingdon, Chapter 8, "The Policy Window, and Joining the Streams." Dye, Chapter 2, "Models of Politics." Mandell & King, "An Action Channel Tool Kit. Greenberg, Chapter 3, The Cultural Milieu: America As a Liberal Society" Madison, "Federalist 10" Dahl, Chapter 1, "Madisonian Democracy" Dahl, Chapter 4, "Equality, Diversity and Intensity." Olson, selections from The Logic of Collective Action Hill & Leighley, "The Policy Consequences of Class Bias in State Elections." Wittenberg & Wittenberg, Chapters 1 & 2. "The Regulation of Mud Flaps," KSG Case. Downs, selections from An Economic Theory of Democracy "Jesse Helms vs. Harvey Gantt," KSG Case. Air Pollution and Democracy," KSG Case CHECKLIST FOR PUBLIC POLICY PRESCRIPTION AND ACTION The Big Ten

1. Goal Definition: Identifying Core Public Interests  What is the policy actor’s goal in the public arena? Over what time period?  What would society look like if it were achieved?  What is the scope of the policy goal (local, regional, national, transnational)?  Which cultural values (equality, liberty, efficiency, democracy) are embedded in or associated with the policy goal?  Who will the policy goal appeal to?

2. Sources of Power: Locating Influential Actors  Who has the (in)formal power to move society toward this particular policy goal (the “people” themselves, non-governmental institutions, such as businesses or religious institutions, a local, state or national government, a particular branch of government, a particular agency within a branch)?  Who can influence those who possess power (political parties, interest groups, media, individuals)?  How can these people or groups with influence be reached and mobilized?

3. Stakeholders: Identifying Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats  Who cares about this policy issue and why?  Is a committed constituency willing to dedicate resources to the furthering of this policy goal? What resources are they willing to devote to it?  Who are the opponents of this policy and why? What can policy actors do to predict obstacles they may pose, overcome, circumvent or diffuse their resistance? Is there any common ground between policy supporters and opponents?

4. Agenda-Setting: Shaping the Policy Debate  Who shapes the action agenda on this policy issue?  Who shapes the decision agenda?  How do specific options for decision-makers get formulated?

5. Timing: Identifying Windows of Opportunity  Is the timing favorable to the pursuit of the policy actor’s goal?  What are the predictable institutional routines (electoral cycles, legislative sessions, etc.) through which this policy issue can be moved?  Which focusing events can be imagined that would put this policy issue on the agenda? Is there a “window of opportunity” upon which a policy entrepreneur can capitalize to move this policy issue onto the agenda?

6. Coalition-Building: Mobilizing Resources, Stakeholders and Constituencies  Who are the policy actor’s potential allies, and what will be required to forge a coalition with them?  What natural coalitions (based on shared interests, common history, etc.) could be mobilized to support this policy issue?  How can supportive bystanders be converted into stakeholders and how can potentially active opponents be kept out of the game?  What resources do the coalitions bring to bear on this policy issue? How committed is the policy actor’s constituency? How educated are they? How motivated are they? -2-

7. Framing the Policy Issue: Operational Objectives  What position should the policy actor adopt publicly to advance his/her issue most effectively? Is it a technical problem? Is there a villain?  What symbols can be employed?  What alternative frames (historical, allied, oppositional) are available?

8. Action Channels: Strategies, Tactics and Policy Design  Which action channel (electoral, legislative, legal, administrative, media, grassroots) or combination of channels offers the greatest chance of success?  What are the costs and benefits of using these channels? For future positioning?  Which channels are most likely to work against the policy actor and how should he/she keep the policy issue off the agenda there?

9. Action Steps: Policy Implementation  What concrete short-term actions and tactics will advance this strategy right now?  What long-term steps can be taken to achieve the policy actor’s goal?  What strategies or mechanisms should the policy actor employ to produce the desired result?  Are the policy actor’s strategies flexible to account for unanticipated contingencies?  Will they build momentum and add to the policy actor’s resources?  Will they have positive long-term consequences for the policy actor’s issue?

10. Benchmarking Progress: Policy Maintenance and Review  How should the policy actor measure progress or failure? Which values or standards will the policy actor employ as measurement tools? How will policy reviews be embedded in the policy-making process?  What contingencies might arise that would require a shifting in strategy?  What alternative courses of action would be available? Is the policy actor flexible enough to make “adjustments on the fly?”