Chapter 4: Policy Science Foundations and Policy Types

Public Policy is a course of action decided by the government to solve public problems or achieve specific goals. Since the nature of politics varies depending on the type of policy, understanding policy typology is essential.

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1. The Essence of Policy

• Policy Components: Policy goals, policy instruments, and policy targets.
• Characteristics of Policy Science: Problem-oriented, multi-disciplinary, and normative (prescriptive).

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2. Lowi’s Policy Typology

Theodore Lowi famously argued that “Policy determines politics.” He classified four types based on the nature of coercion. This is a core theory frequently featured in exams.

Type	Definition	Characteristics	Examples
Distributive	Providing services/benefits to specific groups	’Log-rolling’ and ‘Pork-barrel’ politics occur	Road construction, public schools
Regulatory	Limiting individual actions	Clear winners and losers, high conflict	Antitrust laws, pollution control
Redistributive	Transferring from higher to lower income	Class-based conflict, down-ward policy	Progressive taxes, Social Security
Constituent	Establishing the government framework	Deciding the ‘rules of the game’	Redistricting, government reorganization

• Public Interest: The overall benefit of society.
  • Substantive Theory: Views the public interest as a unique entity that transcends the sum of private interests.
  • Procedural Theory: Views it as the result of compromise and mediation between private interests.
• Justice: According to John Rawls, justice should be organized so that the greatest benefit goes to the least advantaged (Difference Principle).
• Social Equity: Emphasized in the 1960s by New Public Administration, including preferential consideration for the underprivileged.

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3. Almond and Powell’s Policy Types

• Extractive Policy: Securing resources from the private sector (Taxes, military service).
• Symbolic Policy: Eliciting national integration and support (Flag days, monuments).

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4. Agenda Setting

Among many social problems, the ones selected by the government for resolution are called ‘Policy Agendas’.

• Classifications based on the controlling group:
  • Outside-Initiative Model: Raised by the public and transmitted to the government.
  • Mobilization Model: Decisions made by government first, then promoted to the public (Developing countries).
  • Inside-Access Model: Decided secretly by experts or high-level officials.

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Key Checklist

• In which type of Lowi’s policies does ‘log-rolling’ (mutual support among politicians) mainly occur? (Answer: Distributive Policy)
• Which policy aimed at income redistribution causes the most intense class conflict? (Answer: Redistributive Policy)
• Which Almond and Powell type involves drawing human and material resources from society? (Answer: Extractive Policy)

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