Assignment 3 - Individual Policy Analysis Form

PPPM 360 International Public Policy Prof. Lambert, Winter Term 2023 Assignment 3: Individual Policy Analysis Form Purpose This worksheet will support you as your first step in developing your final team comparative public policy analysis presentation. The textbook chapter content will provide adequate “context” material for your presentation. Instructions Please carefully read the relevant textbook chapter on your policy domain and respond to the worksheet prompts below. Please complete this worksheet and submit a printed version in class on the specified due date: Thursday, March 2 at 12:00 noon (Week 8 Class 16). It will be graded P/NP. Your Name: Charlotte Tysver Your Specific Textbook Chapter: Welfare Policy Key definitions and focus of the policy domain (from the Introduction): “Covering all activities in which governments engage to promote the wellbeing of their populations, covering health, housing, nutrition and education, as well as income maintenance” (p.181). -Includes both public activities of government and private provision of welfare in the home -Can be motivated to improve citizens’ wellbeing as well as political interests for providing welfare. -Welfare policy can harm some individuals while benefiting others  unequal distribution What are the major goals and intended outcomes for governments in this policy domain? -The major goals of this policy domain are to improve citizen wellbeing and to provide a safety net to individuals  this takes shape in a variety of ways depending on the nation. Improving citizen interests can also improve the image of the government itself. The Context: Theories of the Policy Domain Development What does the author emphasize in her discussion of historical development of this policy domain in the developed democracies? -The author emphasizes Esping-Anderson’s classification system where the focus is placed on “decommodification” meaning “the degree to which individuals, or families, can uphold a socially acceptable standard of living independently of market participation” (p.183). Esping-Anderson classified three world of welfare capitalism that included liberal, conservative, and social democratic. What kinds of external drivers, trends, or issues have influenced the development of this policy domain over time? -A main issue that has influenced the development of this policy domain has been the criticism of Esping- Anderson’s classification system and three worlds. One main criticism is that this analysis focused on income maintenance, leaving out welfare services. These criticisms have highlighted that there are many different types of countries that value different things (such as religion, wage earning welfare states, etc.), and that social risks and societal groups need to be taken into account because these factors impact the welfare system. In general, he needed to consider the link between policy and politics and the intricacies and impacts that come from the world of politics.

What kinds of global pressures are exerted on national-level public policy in this area, especially in recent years? -The main global pressures in this policy area are the relationship between migration and welfare and the impact of increasing trade on a governments ability to provide welfare aid. As far as migration is concerned there is concern that migration could impact job security and the idea that there is reduced citizen support for welfare that supports migrants. This is stimulated by greed and to some extent xenophobia. With trade flows, there is the idea that welfare provision will change and become reduced in the face of globalization and international competition (p.191). Are there any theories that the author refers to as being particularly relevant for understanding this policy domain? -The author cites a variety of theories including the southern model, Latin-rim model, Esping-Andersons model, and wage-earner welfare states. These all hold a role in shaping welfare policy, as it cannot be defined or limited to one specific model, but rather shaped by many different models and influences. Comparing Public Policies Across Nations Please identify and summarize the main policy instruments that the author describes as the tools used by governments in developed democracies to implement public policy goals. Please consider whether each of these is a carrot , stick , or sermon . Publicly funded pensions: -population ageing is placing pressure on pension systems -non-contributory pensions are paid for through public funds (taxation system) and include all eligible members -median voter theory= parties in coalitions had incentive to deliver policies to their voter based rather than the media voter  more representative  This is an example of carrots Publicly funded unemployment support: -support varies widely  low levels offered in some countries (USA) and large amount of support by others (Norway)  This is an example of carrots Other Publicly Funded Transfers: -increase individuals’ incomes with only people who earn below a certain level eligible -can also be affluence tested where there it is only available to those below a certain income -social assistance offer a minimum income to those that aren’t well off -some assistance is given to those with disadvantages such as a disability or providing aid for child rearing  These are examples of carrots providing economic incentives The Use of Tax Expenditures: -provide exemptions to tax for certain groups or certain activities -support private benefits  These are examples of carrots The Use of Authority: -use of government power and authority to get citizens to act in a certain way  An example of sticks Publicly mandated Pension Provision: -the requirement that people put some of their income towards retirement -some nations use pay as you go systems and others use funded systems  This is an example of sticks Publicly mandates Unemployment Insurance: -Similar to the pension requirement, there is a requirement that workers contribute to an insurance fund to cover them when they are out of work.  This is an example of sticks Imposition of Conditions to Receive Public Funds: - use of government power to restrict the availability of services to those that act in certain way -this involves things such as joining/participating in the ALMP has become a condition of receiving benefits