Introduction
In tackling various public problems, legislators formulate public policies and they implement the formulated public policies to effect some change in the performance as well as the behavior of the target group. The aim of most legislators is to ensure that the change brought about by the implementation of a policy will ameliorate certain public problems.
According to Bourgon, policy implementation is an operational phase involving the translation of the policy into action with the aim of solving the targeted public problem (2008, p.15). Several tools and practices are essential in the implementation of public policies ant their success depends entirely on the efficiency of the government in implementation process.
The requirements of successful policy implementation
Governments achieve results of public policies by employing a mix of instruments including laws, regulations, credits, tax, and social marketing. Another important tool that governments employ before commencing the implementation process is consultation.
Although it is the responsibility of the governments to ensure that the implementation process is successful, other organizations play a pivotal role in ensuring that the process is a success. Policy makers need to work through vast networks of organizations, both within and outside the government, to achieve the targeted public outcome (Bourgon, 2008, p.42).
Democratic principles are very important in enhancing the success of the process; actually, democracy allows proper parliamentary insights, encourages transparency by guaranteeing access to information on the implementation process, and ensures holders of public offices are accountable for exercise of power besides facilitating access to government for its support in the process.
Moreover, democratic principles encourage public participation in the policy cycle by ensuring strong support for government initiatives. However, each of these tools and practices has its own demerits.
Seeking public opinion in policymaking is an important aspect; nevertheless, however, it poses some threats to the process in that, it may delay the policy makers’ decisions thus preventing timely action. Single-interest groups may hijack the consultation process making it to lose its meaning. In democratic nations, the choice of leaders lies in the influence that an individual political leader has on the masses.
This can lead to the election of a leader who may influence the citizens’ opinion on certain aspects of a policy thus influencing the implementation process as in the case study.
In successive governments, policy implementation depends on the political will, policy choices, and political decisions of the new government (Haynes, 2003, p.81). Consequently, tools and practices that might have worked in previous governments may not be effective during a given era due to leadership differences.
Besides the tools and practices of public policy implementation, there are essential aspects that enhance the success of the process. There should be clear communication between the policy makers and the bodies involved in the policy implementation process as well as the public. The government should have the resources essential for the success of the process.
The implementers of the policy should have the correct attitude to the process. The process also requires an efficient bureaucratic structure. If the implementers do not put these aspects into consideration, the policy makers may not achieve their goals.
Conclusion
The policy implementation process involves a variety of tools and practices such as laws, regulations, and tax incentives among others. In most democratic nations, tools and practices that have proved to be successful in implementing certain policies in a given government may fail in a different government due to political and leadership differences of the different governments.
The implementation process must respect the rule of law as well as democratic institutions. The process should exercise fairness, accountability, and transparency for the exercise of democratic power.
Reference list
Bourgon, J. (2008). New Directions in Public Administration: Serving Beyond the Predictable. Public Policy and Administration, 24(3), 12-65.
Haynes, P. (2003). Managing Complexity in the Public Services. Maidenhead, UK: Open University Press.