Methodology in Policy Analysis

Policy analysis is the application of a variety of political and cognitive strategies to the formulation of a public policy (Starling, 1993, p. 11). Policy analysis is not based in a single discipline. Political, organizational, sociological, technological, and economic issues are addressed in most policy analyses. "In policy analysis one of the keys to judging expert testimony is to recognize the biases inherent in single-discipline answers" (Starling, 1993, p. 11). Similarly, an excessive reliance on either normative or quantitative approaches to evaluation typically produces ineffective policy analyses.

It is important to remember that any public policy is a part of a wider political system. Thus, an effective policy analysis looks beyond the narrow scope of the immediate issue to the ways in which a proposed policy will affect the entire system as well as how the policy will affect the immediate issue.

Policy analysis, thus, refers to an analysis of the "determinants, characteristics, and implications of public policies and programs" (Positer, 1992, p. 25). The emphasis in policy analysis in on the relationship betw

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e of intergenerational conflict in policy development involves environmental protection. One of the principal reasons why environmental protection legislation is difficult to enact and implement is that to do so causes present generations to sacrifice for the benefit (primarily) of future generations. Many politicians and economists contend that most people are unwilling to make such sacrifices voluntarily. The opportunity costs of resources must be determined, because, as both income and consumption are expected to rise over time, "it is natural to value present consumption more highly than the same absolute amount of consumption benefit" at some future time (Thirlwall, 1993, p. 192). Some economists contend, however, that, if government legislation forced all members of the society to sacrifice to protect the environment, people would eventually be willing to make such a sacrifice because they would see positive outcomes, and they would see that all members of the society, not just themselves, made the sacrifice. Supporters of this approach contend that it is justified because environmental resources, once consumed or destroyed, will no longer be available to future generations. Acceptance of this approach, or something si
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Some common words found in the essay are:
Externalities Cost/benefit, Protection Policy, Concepts Policy, Wilson Masso, Federal Rights, ANALYSIS Introduction, Agricultural Economics, Florida California, policy analysis, Conclusion Public, J Masso, social costs, states' rights, levy 1990, social benefits, economic decision, specific economic decision, specific economic, 1990 pp, masso 1994, levy 1990 pp, wilson masso 1994, wilson masso, masso 1994 6, 1990 pp 284-349,
Approximate Word count = 1646
Approximate Pages = 7 (250 words per page)

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