MGSC05H3 Chapter 7: Hogwood - Chapter 7
Document Summary
Hogwood and gunn, policy analysis for the real world, chapter 7. Issue definition: how an issue is recognized, placed on the public policy agenda, and further explored. How an issue is defined will affect and influence later processes of policy making such as setting objectives, identifying relevant options, policy monitoring and evaluating etc. An incomplete definition is more dangerous than a wrong definition leading to insufficient analysis and concluding a wrong solution. The end result is no one is certain of what the actual problem is. Inadequate issue definition occurs in anything related to crises or issues with intense political pressure that needs an immediate response. What policy makers define as problems are influenced by their values, ethics, standards, beliefs and these will contribute their impact on policy making. Yet each individual, groups, or interested parties may perceive the same thing differently according to their concerns and perspectives. Difficult to control the timing of a decision.
