What is Public Policy

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What is 'Public Policy'? Public policy as a field of academic inquiry began in the 1950s. It was motivated by a desire to understand human problems in a way which cut across disciplinary boundaries. Knowledge may be organized in universities into separate boxes or departments and faculties, but people do not experience problems in discrete packages. The study of public policy therefore draws on a variety of social sciences, including political science, public administration and management, economics, sociology, and psychology to understand and explain those problems which human beings endeavour to remedy or ‘solve' through collective action. Students of public policy tend to be interested in questions such as: How does a particular issue or condition become framed or constructed as a public ‘problem'? Problems are not ‘objective' things, they are the outcome of a process of construction. Students of public policy are really interested in this process whereby ‘problems' are constructed as ‘public'. We are also concerned with how the ‘problem' commands the attention of policy makers. That is, how do problems rate in the attention they get from government? In other words: how are agendas set? Why do some problems command a lot of attention and others are ignored? How are decisions about policy ‘solutions' made? Decision making is an important aspect of analysing policy making. Is policy just the result of flipping a coin, or consulting a soothsayer ? Or, does policy emerge from a rational analysis of all the data? Is policy shaped by interest groups? And, having formulated a policy, policy analysts ask another set of questions: how can policy be implemented? Any idiot can make a good decision, but implementing it is another matter. So students of public policy are also interested in the delivery of policy. A 'good' policy may fail because of 'bad' implementation: or a bad policy may be successful in spite of itself because of the quality or experience of those actually carrying it out at (what we call) the street level . And that is that, a problem is constructed, a decision made, and the policy is implemented, end of story? Not quite. Because if a society is to learn from its policy making, it has to engage inevaluation. Did a policy WORK? There are a variety of places where policy analysis takes place. You may work at one at the moment – or you may wish to get a job in one, in which case the study of public policy is for you. What places? Well, the first place to look is in THINK TANKS. These are organizations in the ideas business: that is they want to shape the construction of problems and influence the policy agenda. Here are a few links to check out: Institute for Public Policy Research Institute of Economic Affairs Social Market Foundation Bow Group Fabian Society

Adam Smith Institute Centre for Policy Studies New Economics Foundation New Policy Institute Centre for Reform Catalyst Centre for European Reform Hansard Society Institute for Fiscal Studies New Local Government Network Policy Studies Institute Royal Institute for International Affairs RAND Policy analysis also takes place in local and national government, in NGOs and voluntary organizations, where they tend to exist as 'policy units' or ‘strategy units'. A good place to start is the UK's POLICY HUB. Why not check out such units in policy areas that interest you?

What does the programme involve? This MSc is designed to provide students with an advanced theoretical and practical understanding of policy formation and implementation to masters degree level. The programme is focussed around current debates on policy-making, and public management in both developed and developing countries. It addresses questions such as:

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What is the appropriate relationship between the public and private sectors? What is the significance of ‘partnership' and the ‘new public management' in the design and delivery of services? How are policy decisions made and implemented? How can public policy deal with issues of cultural diversity and value conflict?

Programme content Core modules:

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Theories of the Policy Making Process

This module will equip you with the skills to think critically about the theory and practice of policy making in contemporary states. It introduces the concept of the policy cycle and proceeds to

consider a range of frameworks which conceptualise policy-making from alternative paradigms on the nature of rationality and decisions.

o

Dissertation of 12,000-15,000 words

Optional modules (three from the following list):

o o o o o o o o o o o o o o

International Public Management Policy Analysis for the Developing World Implementation and Evaluation Case Studies in British Policy Making Sovereignty and Intervention in International Politics The Americas in Comparative Perspective I: Historical Roots The Americas in Comparative Perspective II: Modern Politics and Society Themes and Cases in US Foreign Relations Issues in Democratisation Globalisation and the International Political Economy of Development International Security: War and Peace in a Global Context Democracy in Plural Societies Nationalism, Democracy and Cosmopolitanism Visions of Capitalism

Please note the availability of option modules is confirmed at the start of the academic year. Teaching Teaching is provided in lecture and seminar formats. Small group teaching ensures that you have weekly opportunities to discuss issues with module tutors. For each module, students are provided with extensive lists of guided reading, and tutors can provide more detailed reading on areas of particular interest to students. One-to-one supervision is provided for research dissertations. Assessment Assessment is by a mix of written coursework and unseen examination, plus the dissertation. The dissertation is crucial to the programme. We encourage students to devise a topic to fit their own interests and career trajectories. Students are supported in the design of the research project, and given one-to-one supervision on their selected topic. By the end of the programme, students should be able to:

o o o o o o o o

Understand the key literature and debates in theories of public policy Understand the factors influencing the shift from the public administration to the public management paradigm; Demonstrate a critical awareness of a variety of management techniques and their application in a range of developed and developing countries; Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of public management approaches; Recognise the factors shaping the success and failure of policy implementation; Apply techniques to evaluate policy programmes Relate public policy to their future career development

Why you should take the programme
If you wish to work at the interface of service delivery and/or help shape the future
policy agenda, either in a developed or developing country context, then this programme is designed with your interests in mind.

In particular the programme is suitable for: o o o People working in policy research who wish to gain a more in-depth understanding of the policy process Civil servants and those advising government in developed and developing countries who wish to undertake study relevant to their work People considering undertaking doctoral research into public policy

Some of our students take the programme straight after finishing their undergraduate studies. Others have spent years working in policy fields and wish to supplement their practical experience with academic skills of policy analysis. This combination provides a lively study environment in which students learn from each other as well as from tutors. The programme can be taken full time or part-time providing flexibility for students wishing to combine work and study.

MSc in Public Policy testimonials
What do our past students have to say? Jonathan Graham (House of Commons as the lead researcher for the All-Party Parliamentary Taxation Group and is producing a comprehensive report on tax administration) "I chose Queen Mary's Public Policy programme because while I enjoyed working as a journalist, I wanted to have the skills and knowledge to better understand policy issues in depth rather than just skimming the surface. Through the programme I not only gained an important theoretical foundation in public policy, but also received the handson training I needed to be able to jump right into a policy environment. From initial research to robust analysis to final presentation, professors showed students how to excel at tackling a complicated policy subject. The demanding coursework and reading list prepared me to enter the high-pressure expectations of working with Members of Parliament and their staff. The close relationships students are able to build with the professors allowed me to take full advantage of their expertise so that I could take as much away from my time at Queen Mary as possible. Taking advantage of professors’ willingness to meet one-on-one gave me confidence in my work, let me develop new ideas, and strengthened my reports and dissertation. As well, lively classroom discussions and debates with my fellow Masters students — whose backgrounds ranged from a Japanese civil servant to a politically-focused Ghanian, to a London city councillor — brought together a range of different experiences and knowledge that helped my own studies. I keep in touch with many of my classmates as they are moving on to find their own careers in policy and politics. The entire experience of attending Queen Mary allowed me to transition from journalism to public policy, giving me the leg up I needed to get a position with a Member of Parliament, researching and writing about national policy issues. It serves not just as diploma, but an education in both the theoretical and practical applications of

policymaking. I am now independently preparing a major public study on behalf of Members of Parliament in the All-Party Parliamentary Group, and have been responsible for the entire project: Working with MPs to make sure their views and opinions are incorporated, gathering academic sources and interviewing civil servants, and designing the report’s final layout. I could neither have gotten the position nor been able to immediately accomplish this range of tasks without my Master’s degree from Queen Mary."

Richard Dunstan (National Association of Citizens Advice Bureaux) writing in the Guardian newspaper: ‘My original degree was in Economics and I was working for Amnesty International when I started the MSc Course. I think the most important thing the course gave me was an insight into how policy is made – and particularly how flawed that process can be.'

Dr. Christina Julios Director of Policy and External Affairs, Ethnic Minority Foundation (EMF) ‘The MSc in Public Policy at Queen Mary University of London is certainly one of the best investments I have ever made. The course provided me with an understanding of different theoretical approaches to policy formation and implementation as well as an insight into the reality of public management and decision-making processes. It is this unique combination of theoretical grounding and practical skills that has enabled me to develop my professional expertise over time. Being a practitioner, I have now come to appreciate the extent to which the MSc gave me a solid base from where to develop and grow professionally. In particular, the acquisition of transferable skills has proved a real asset to my career progression. The course afforded me as much the ability to think creatively and independently as the discipline and rigueur of academic research techniques. Such an array of knowledge and skills has allowed me to follow different career paths throughout, and will continue to do so whichever future direction I decide to pursue. I highly recommend this outstanding course to students and practitioners everywhere. Whether you are already working or intending to work in the public, private, voluntary or academic sectors; the MSc in Public Policy will undoubtedly broaden your horizons and enhance your career prospects. As an employer operating in a fiercely competitive labour market, I expect prospective employees to be able to demonstrate academic excellence, analytical skills and relevant practical experience. This course definitely ticks all the right boxes.'

Zhou Hai Business Consultant, Beijing.

‘The Msc at Queen Mary provides a unique opportunity for international students to access modern knowledge and the latest information about global policy making in 21st century century. The course is taught by leading scholars and you have an opportunity to meet students and practitioners from all over the world. The course has been a very worthwhile investment. I recommend the course very highly.' Angela Sibson, Chief Executive, Commission for The Compact ( the agreement between government and the voluntary and community sector in England to improve their relationship for mutual advantage) ‘The Queen Mary MSc course in Public Policy offers invaluable insights into the public policy process and decision-making theory. It has been particularly helpful to me as a voluntary sector Chief Executive in making the links between research, policy development and real-world outcomes in service delivery. The great strength of the teaching is to empower students to connect theory and practice so that they can import that learning into their subsequent employment.'

Toyin Ajidele, Policy Officer, UK Department for International Development. MSc Public Policy, 2005-06 ‘Exploring the sphere of Public Policy, the Msc in Public Policy allows you to examine and compare theories of the policy making process with the reality of policy implementation. Covering a range of issues from the political and bureaucratic interactions of central governments with stakeholders and pressure groups, to policy transfers, evaluation methodologies, policy implementation models, development strategies and crisis management, this course familiarizes students on the tensions that exist within policy making arena. I learned how to develop policy proposals and also how to incorporate theoretical perspectives into my own work. I also did practical group work on policy analysis. This excellent course is taught by some of the UK 's leading scholars in the subject all of whom have extensive academic and practical experience. By the end of this course, you will be equipped with a first-class understanding of policy making and the institutions and factors that influence their development and execution.'

Hazel Cheeseman, Policy and Public Affairs Officer, Help the Hospices MSc Public Policy, 2005-06 ‘The MSc course at Queen Mary has given me an excellent platform from which to build my career in policy. The theoretical approaches combined with the application of abstract ideas in other aspects of the course helped me to approach ideas and analysis in new ways. Through the course I was able to get to grips with the modern policy world and place it in context. Such opportunities to sit back from the subject are not so easily afforded in the workplace and the perspective afforded by the MSc has been an invaluable aid to viewing issues with clarity. The course has given me great confidence in my new role and enabled me to talk intelligently about the aspects of policy I have knowledge of and assisting my analysis of those I don't.'

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