Analyze the alternative models describing decision-making in American politics.
In American politics, various decision-making models used offer distinct perspectives on policy formulation and execution. Some models include incremental, mixed scanning, systems, elite, and rational models. American society utilizes the constitutional federal and presidential systems in exercising their powers. The system is subdivided into three branches: the legislative, judicial, and executive branches, each with distinct roles. In politics, the individual interests are collectively reconciled with a single action. When the country’s or group members have varying opinions, the group decisions are made. Sometimes, gathering for each of the contrasting interests may be time-consuming and not applicable, and thus, the representatives may have to make decisions on behalf of the group. In this case, some group members are deprived of their interests while others are favored. This is the case in America, as few people make the biggest decisions that significantly impact America and, indeed, the world. Decision-making is in the hands of the few elites elected and appointed and not the vast population of individuals. The essay aims to discuss the pertinent decision-making models that best describe the decision-making in American Politics.
The rational decision-making approach involves using logical steps to reach the best possible solution to the problem at hand while disregarding the impact of emotions. The individuals utilizing this model analyze the various alternative solutions presented and synthesize factual data to choose the best option. It is commonly practiced when a country or group seeks to maximize benefits and minimize costs (David et al., 2019). Solutions are researched, having been given ample time whereby the researchers predict the probable outcomes of the solution found. After that, the researcher has many solutions, but the best solution is selected. Some researchers argue that the model assumes that the stakeholders seek to maximize their utility when using it. The model is beneficial in explaining individual choices. However, it fails to consider individual self-interest that, leads to sub-optimal outcomes as it relies only on the collective decision and public goods provisions.
The American political society is often concerned with the scrutiny of political groups. To better understand the diversity in the operations of the many groups found in America, the group model of decision is usually utilized. The theory postulates that the political groups that affect the government are affected by the individual political actors within the groups. The political groups include interest groups, political campaigns, and voting blocs. These groups are usually persistent in fighting for political power positions in America’s political system.
The incremental model of policy formulation through decision-making holds that the individuals involved in decision-making use the previous activities, programs, and policies as the basis for decisions and narrow their efforts on increasing, decreasing, or modifying past activities and policies. The model was developed by Charles Lindblom. In American society, the probable solutions and consequences are taken into account at every stage of the decision making process (Saltelli et al., 2020). The decision-making model is usually preferred when the decision makers need to be minimized and non-disruptive immediate effect and when the decision-making process is allocated a smaller amount during budgeting. The government chooses the model since it is usually hard to get people to make the biggest decisions. The model is used to define public policy in a government setting as it ensures consideration of all the available options. It reaches the public’s best interest in the end. The figure below illustrates how the incremental model was applied in gay rights policy making.
Figure 1: Application of incremental model
The elite theory of decision-making postulates that a small minor group of the economic elite network has the most power that is independent of democratic elections. The members of the elite exert significant power over American federal and governmental decisions since they have superior positions in the corporations and thus can impact the overall policy planning networks (David et al., 2019). In American society, the elites and their interests are unified, causing power concentration. It is contrary to the pluralism theory, which postulates that various systems of power could influence the set of rulers, leading to some more decent political outcomes that reflect societal needs. The model oversimplifies the complex interplay of interests in American politics despite the concentration of powers.
Determine which concepts are the least effective in accurately explaining public policy and explain why.
The rational model is least effective in that it is limited when applied to collective decision-making and the provision of public goods. While it may explain individual behavior, it fails to capture the intricacies of policymaking that often require compromise and coordination among various groups and institutions (Bomhof-Roordink et al., 2019). Additionally, the model is limited in public decision-making as it needs high intellectual capacity, time, sources of information, resources, and legal mandate. The model assumes the fact that problems are inseparable from one another. The inability to define an issue in isolation increases the cost of seeing the problem in a collective manner. The model also does not clarify objectives and values prior to the analysis of alternatives. It only considers the individuals’ goals and objectives while assuming the social goals. This places unrealistic demands on the decision-maker as there is limited time, knowledge, information, predictability of the future, and human ability. When people in power make decisions using the rational model, there is a need to think about what its citizens think and value. Different people have different ideas about what is valuable, and thus, the model might make it difficult to agree on common goals. The diminished effectiveness of the model might also be tied to the assumption that all the available alternatives are practicable. Some alternative solutions to problems lack practicability, and choosing the undoable option would indeed clash with what the stakeholders aim to achieve throughout the decision-making process.
Figure 2: The decision-making process
Explain whether the alternatives are helpful to American policymaking. Defend your explanations using specific examples to justify your perspective.
Each decision making has its importance as well as limitations. Each model provides a unique perspective to understanding American policymaking and their utility depending on the context. For instance, the elite model is useful in reflecting the values and preferences of the elite group. The elite model enables the use of the elite, who might have experience in policy making and hence might use their expertise to make well-informed policy decisions based on their deeper understanding of the subject matter (Bomhof-Roordink et al., 2019). The use of elites leads to the formulation of more effective policies with the capacity to address the root causes of problems among the masses. The American government, for instance, used the economic elites to influence tax policies and corporate regulations. If the economic elites were left behind, then the closure of the gap between budget deficits in macroeconomics and revenue collection would have continued to worsen. The elite model can also be used to highlight concentrated power.
The incremental model is effective in policymaking as it achieves broad changes in various policies or laws by making small changes in policies gradually. Lindblom claimed that the strategies used in incrementalism are efficient, sensible, and democratic as the government only has to focus on the effects of the incremental changes from the previously formulated policies. For instance, the American government has applied the incremental model in developing gay rights. Most of the American societies were against gays, and thus, those who were fighting for gay rights were informed that “The Struggle for Gay Rights Is Over” (Saltelli et al., 2020). However, the government has changed the anti-gay rights to encourage gays and other forms of LGBTQ people in the country. The government has increased the rights of gay people to include the legalization of gay marriage and the adoption of children by gay couples.
Generally, the alternative models have helped American society understand how decisions are made. This has contributed much in the decision-making to include the minority and marginalized communities in making final decisions. It is not frightening to find the public being actively involved in decision-making and implementation in American society. The leaders in political positions have been able to make decisions under certain limitations, leading to the creation of successful solutions despite the limitations imposed. There seems to be no best model for making decisions, but choosing the best one for a team or group would likely lead to an exemplary resolution of the situation at hand.
In conclusion, the decision-making models discussed are beneficial in that they offer valuable insights. However, there is no best-fit-all model, as none is universally effective. Policymaking is a multifaceted process influenced by a complex interplay of factors, and different models are more relevant in specific situations. The models provide valuable frameworks for analyzing the dynamics of power and influence in American politics, offering a comprehensive view of the decision-making process. These frameworks help analyze the roles of elites, interest groups, government agencies, and elected officials in shaping public policy, contributing to a more comprehensive understanding of the decision-making process.
References
Bomhof-Roordink, H., Gärtner, F. R., Stiggelbout, A. M., & Pieterse, A. H. (2019). Key components of shared decision-making models: a systematic review. BMJ open, 9(12), e031763.
David, M. A. I. R., Laura, S. M. I. L. L. I. E., Giovanni, L. P., Florian, S. C. H. W. E. N. D. I. N. G. E. R., Milena, R. A. Y. K. O. V. S. K. A., Zsuzsanna, P. A. S. Z. T. O. R., & Rene, V. B. (2019). Understanding our political nature: How to put knowledge and reason at the heart of political decision-making.
Saltelli, A., Bammer, G., Bruno, I., Charters, E., Di Fiore, M., Didier, E., … & Vineis, P. (2020). Five ways to ensure that models serve society: a manifesto.
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