This document discusses public policy and the bureaucracy. It outlines the four stages of the policy process: initiation, formulation, implementation, and evaluation. It also describes four theories of decision-making: rational actor models, incremental models, bureaucratic organization models, and belief systems models. Finally, it identifies three key sources of bureaucratic power: the strategic position of bureaucrats in the policy process, the logistical relationship between bureaucrats and ministers, and the status and expertise of bureaucrats.

1. PUBLIC POLICY
AND THE
BUREAUCRACY

2. • Policy-making involves not only making decisions, but
also different kinds of decisions. There are four distinct
stages in the policy process:
• Policy initiation
• Policy formulation
• Policy implementation
• Policy evaluation
Theories of decision-making

3. • The making of decisions is central to the policy process.
The most important theories of decision-making are:
• Rational actor models
• Incremental models
• Bureaucratic organization models
• Belief systems models
Stages in the policy process

4. • Carrying out administration
• Providing policy advice
• Articulating and aggregating interests
• Maintaining political stability
Functions of the bureaucracy

5. • There are three key sources of bureaucratic power:
1)The strategic position of bureaucrats in the policy process.
2) The logistical relationship between bureaucrats and ministers.
3) The status and expertise of bureaucrats.
• Bureaucratic power must be checked for political democracy to be
meaningful. Checks exist in the form of mechanisms of
accountability, the politicization of the civil service, and the
construction of counter-bureaucracies.
Bureaucratic power

6. • Empowering states
• Establishing values and goals
• Providing government stability
• Protecting freedom
• Legitimizing regimes
Purpose of a constitution

7. • Empowering states
• Establishing values and goals
• Providing government stability
• Protecting freedom
• Legitimizing regimes
Purpose of a constitution