The process of developing and implementing policies has never been an easy one. On the face of it, it usually looks like an easy task, but it can be daunting based on the aspects involved. This is regardless of whether a policy is sound and valid given a certain problem. This is because it is not only the statutory variables that matter. There are other non-statutory variables that might affect implementation of viable policies. Pal (2013) has tried to outline some of these non-statutory variables.

Among these variables is the media attention accorded to various problems. When the media reflects on a given issue, it tends to influence the making of decisions. There is a tendency from politicians to show that they are aware of the issue and necessary steps are being taken to ensure that the problem has been eradicated. This results to the hastening of issues hence making some solid policies to fail due to poor implementation. A good example was the case with the Clinton’s administration. This administration had a favorable policy to help initiate health care reforms. There was increased pressure from the media, and this forced the administration to opt for a big bang approach. This resulted in miserable failure due to lack of adhering to an incremental approach, which was more suitable at that moment (Heineman et al., 2001).

Attitudes and resources of constituency groups is another variable that is likely to affect implementation of favorable policies.  A good example is the immigration policy revolving around Trump campaigns and the free college education policy by Clinton. Trump’s policy is favorable in ensuring that illegal immigrants are not allowed in the country due to the socioeconomic problems that they bring. However, different groups will have varying opinions on this policy hence making it difficult to implement. The resources that are going to be used in rounding up undocumented immigrants are also excessive hence making the policy to seem as being futile. This is the same issue with the free college education policy. The cost that would be incurred is too high, adding up to the current budget deficit.

Support from sovereigns is another variable that can derail valid public policies. There are individuals or states with a certain degree of political influence. In case they are not for a given policy implementation it would become difficult to implement it. A good example is the implementation of a policy that would interfere with international trade. If other trade partners are not interested in the policy, it will become difficult for the state to implement it due to the negative consequences that are likely to accrue.

On other occasions, poor leadership skills from the people responsible for implementation would result in failure of good policies. This is because maybe they lack commitment or the know-how to do so. Lack of public support would also be detrimental since the policies are devised in order to solve the problems that they are facing.

In conclusion, regardless o how favorable a policy might be, there are various non-statutory variables that might derail its efficient implementation.

References

Heineman, R.A., Bluhm, W.T., Peterson, S.A., & Kearny, E.N. (2001). The World of the Policy    Analyst. 3^rd ed. New York: Chatham House Publishers, Seven Bridges Press, LLC.

Pal, L.A. (2013). Beyond Policy Analysis: Public Issue Management in Turbulent Times. 5^th ed.     Toronto, Ontario, Canada: Nelson.

Pui Ban

Hi Ban,

I agree with you that regardless of how a policy seems to be good, there is still a probability of failure in the implementation process. This is because politics will always play a center stage when policy implementation comes to question. There are certain politicians and other influential figures that are opposed to policies that might end up solving the problems being experienced by the people. However, they pretend to favor these policies in the eyes of the public. This results in them using other mechanisms to help sabotage implementation of the policies. The media has been used as a tool of spreading propaganda in such circumstances. The policies tend to fail, but the responsible individuals maintain their image since they used indirect methods to sabotage the implementation of these policies.

Some politicians also act after the media has emphasized on certain problems. There is the pressure that tends to accumulate, and they develop the need for showing the public that they are taking measures to help curb these problems. This results in the haphazard implementation of policies. As a result, policies that would have helped in solving the problems that are being experienced by people end up being useless. This is because they end up being implemented in an unfavorable way.

Michael Portillo

Hi Michael,

A good post you have here. You have tried to analyze the political non-statutory variables that would impede implementation of policies separately and clearly as they have been mentioned by Pal.  It is true that the media can be used as a tool for propaganda. This makes it difficult for the real issues to gain the actual scrutiny that they deserve. Public support is also an issue of great concern when it comes to policy implementation. This is because the people tend to focus more on the individuals involved rather the policies being advanced. People have different political affiliations, and this plays a huge role in their judgment of different policies. A good example is when a policy is advocated for or is introduced to the Senate by a Democrat, but Republicans are opposed to it. On various occasions, the public will make their opinion regarding the policy depending on the people behind it, rather than the substance of the policy. Political influence upon them becomes intense for them to reason beyond that connotation. This results in rejection of policies that would have been very good in solving some of the problems that they are facing.

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