After dominating the last video session, Please watch the below video from Rohini Pande and Asim Khwaja. Both are associated with the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard, and together, they direct the Evidence for Policy Design (EPoD). In this 30-minute video, they will discuss some of the things that we have covered over the last few weeks when it comes to defining the policy problem and designing a policy solution. After watching this video, review the short EPoD Document on Policy Formulation and Implementation and then respond to the following questions in a single, double-spaced page paper (Times New Roman, 12pt. font).
Smart Policy Design: Why the Obvious Is So Hard To Do
Policy Formulation and Implementation Actions
1. Based on the video and the reading, even when ample data is available, how does the data mask or cover the underlying cause(s)?
2. Recalling our previous discussion and the video, what makes the silver-bullet solutions so alluring?
3. Thinking of the major current policy issues (immigration, climate change, gun control), how could a dose of humility change the way we define these problems? Why is being humble a political challenge?
4. Smart policy design, as described by the EPoD group, is focused on engineering and scientific processes that allow for testing, evaluation, and refinement. What concerns may stakeholders (politicians, public, and bureaucrats) have with this type of process?
5. Finally, what are your key takeaways when considering policy design and implementation?
Course Text:
Kingdon, J. W. (1997 — 2nd Ed. is ok) Agendas, Alternatives and Public Policies. New York: HarperCollins. ISBN-13: 978-0673523891; ISBN-10: 0673523896
Theodoulou, S. Z. & Cahn, M. A. (2012). Public Policy: The Essential Readings. 2nd Ed. Pearson. ISBN-13: 978-0205856336; ISBN-10: 0205856330
