Implementing Public Policy

Introduction

            Traditionally, governments have mainly been using regulatory tools and practices during the implementation of public policies. Among the common traditional tools for implementing public policy are sanctions and fines. Using such regulatory tools has been criticized widely due to some limitations or negative impacts associated with their application (Seepersad, 2014). As such, policy makers have been opting for alternative, non-regulatory tools and practices, as indicated in the case study titled “The Winds of Change.” In the case, John Bury, a staff member for the U.S senate, was given an assignment to suggest non-regulatory tools and practices for implementing environmental protection legislation. In this regard, this paper presents an analysis of regulatory and non-regulatory tools and practices for implementing environmental protection legislation.

Analysis

            Democratic governments can use regulation in implementing environmental protection policies. Regulation is a set of laws defining what individuals, government agencies and private firms can do and what they cannot do. Regulation is accompanied by rewards, sanctions or fines (Seepersad, 2014). Using regulation as a tool for implementing environmental protection policy is a very effective approach in cases where there is a need for drastic measures to enhance environmental health and safety. Policy-makers can easily make and implement laws and regulations meant to enhance environmental health and safety within a short period of time (Seepersad, 2014).

The strength of using such tools lies in the fact that they restrict behavior that threatens environmental safety and health. One of the negative aspects of using the regulatory tools in implementing environmental protection legislation emanates from the view that these tools depict a government as using command and control approach (Seepersad, 2014). In other words, using regulations such as technological specifications, product bands, design standards and harm-based standards is usually viewed as illegitimate intrusion into the economy by the government involved. In addition, using regulatory tools leads to lack of flexibility in dealing with environmental problems as well as delays that make individuals and organizations reluctant to change. Last, the traditional regulatory tools create barriers for innovative solutions and to responsive policies, and lack adaptability to changes (Seepersad, 2014).

            Alternatively, policy makers can adopt non-regulatory approaches, which involve using multisource tools such as subsidies and taxes. Multisource tools can be effective in implementing environmental health and safety policies since they do not involve illegitimate intrusion of the economy by the government involved. There are various specific strengths associated with multisource tool (Seepersad, 2014). When well designed and implemented, such tools are fair and place assurance to policy makers and the public that the set goals of implementing environmental protection will be achieved. Also, the policy makers have an opportunity to consider just and equity issues when designing such tools. Remarkably, such tools usually encourage technology diffusion and innovation and are adaptable to change. According to Mgbeke (2009), multisource tools allow for control and prevention without setting specific targets through providing financial assistance and knowledge to individuals and organizations. A key limitation of using multisource tools is that they lead to delays in implementation of policy changes.

            Overall, policy makers can use either regulatory or non-regulatory (multisource) tools in the implementation of policies meant to enhance environmental health and safety. As noted in the analysis, multisource tools are associated with more strengths than regulatory tools, which are associated with more limitations. Considering the strengths and limitations of both categories, it is advisable for policy makers to adopt multisource tools. However, policy makers may also be compelled to integrate the two categories of tools in case of need, especially when there is a need to take drastic measures.

References

Mgbeke, D. (2009). Public Policy Implementation in a Democratic Governance Society: A

Roadmap to Empowering Citizen Participation, an Empirical Study. AuthorHouse: Bloomington.

Seepersad, D. (2014). Public Policy Tools. Retrieved from http://patimes.org/public-policy-tools/