Policy Formulation & Implementation

Assignment

Presented by: Dur E Sameen Raza – BPA 2k17

There is no point in decision making: a model of transactive rationality for

public policy and administration – Analysis

This paper was written by S. Kuruvilla & P. Dorstewitz and it chiefly examines the fourth approach
to policymaking framework. In the domain of social sciences, rationality has been considered a
keystone in policy making, especially for the case of outlining public policies and by extension to
making well-informed, effective strategies. As of itself, rationality is suspect to a slew of
definitions, each held in its own merits by members of the social sciences community and conflicts
often arise when rationality requires to be defined. Classical models of rationality such as linear
rationalism, bounded rationality, incrementalism and mixed scanning have been considered the
mainstay of rationalism for quite some time now and yet they fail to provide a solid foundation in
matters of public policy making on a surmised account of not being sufficiently comprehensive.
In light of these methodologies, a holistic philosophy is considered to be superior, taking into
account the scientific, democratic, ecological and ethical elements and implications of the rational
process. In this article the author identifies Transactive rationality as a viable, pragmatic approach
as a versatile tool in public policy making.

The transactive model stems from the idea that the decision making process does not commence
from a defined end line, followed by means to achieve said end line, but rather constitutes
indeterminate situations being the practical starting point for the process to begin; situations that
are against the habitual equilibrium. Not only are the actions of organisms considered but this
approach also integrates the effects of these actions on each other and the environment, effectively
providing relationships that contribute information to decision making processes. A model of the
system at large can be gelled together through inference of the results The human agency is
supposed to implement changes, or transactions, to achieve a new equilibrium after the
displacement from the norm taken as the base line. The model also stipulates that the individual
and society are inseparable in their scrutiny and only when considered in conjunction lay the
foundation for democratic practice. Both elements are key in forming communities of inquiry to
resolve indeterminate problems and establish equilibrium. The boundaries defined by these
committees are fluid in nature and can be adapted as per the problem to be resolved.

This model thrives upon the notion that doubt is a crisis of conflicting opinions with regards to
tried and tested policies in lieu of new ones when the established order appears to be failing. Yet
this doubt, under the guise of skepticism has been a catalyst for scientific and political
improvement. The transactive model thus stipulates that policy makers incorporate the elements
of innovation and problem solving within policies being determined for the problems at hand. The
reasoning to solve these problems in turn influences the grooming of individuals and the society
at large.

The inner mechanisms of the transactive model are categorized in four core activities; defining,
designing, realization and deliberation. These activities act as a active, creative changes and are
employed by agents in the build-up to resolve issues and establish equilibrium. In parallel,
individual and societal development is also carried out by the same agents under the same means.
The final goal of the model is to establish equilibrium between a diverse range of values, wants
and consequences.

Pragmatism, in its approach, mimics pluralism in theorizing multiple realities where individuals
search for betterment based on their existing experiences. Pragmatists pay particular attention to
changes, believing that change is fundamentally important to the world’s progression and realizing
that the world is never static or stagnant courtesy the human agency. To pragmatists,
experimentation is considered a key element of change, with more emphasis attached to actions
rather than ideas. The sole merit of a decision or item is whether it has achieved its stipulated
purpose or not.

It follows that a pragmatic approach to the transactive model would be mutually beneficial and
inasmuch, such an approach should be tested and developed in both theory and practice. The
benefits of pragmatism are many, encouraging holism, equilibrium and the importance of learning
and progress. Moreover, it incorporates elements of both Eastern and Western systems of thought
and is therefore a feasible candidate for being made a global standard. And contemporary studies
indicate that pragmatism is better equipped in identifying socioeconomic and political behaviors
than other philosophies.

In conclusion, given that pragmatic philosophy can act as a sustainable blueprint for policy- and
decision-making, the transactive model of rationality needs to be developed, refined and be
presented as the fourth approach to the policy making framework, adding to approaches already
present and discussed such as linear rationalism, incrementalism and mixed scanning.