INTRODUCTION

 Brief overview of the paper:

The paper is titled “Culture, Values and Public Policy” and it was written by Stephen Muers,
a policy fellow at the University of Bath. The paper argues that culture and values need to be at the
heart of thinking about public policy, because they affect the outcomes, legitimacy, purpose, and
feedback loops of policy choices. The paper draws on various sources from political science, public
policy, and the author’s own experience as a policymaker. The paper is 27 pages long and was
published in September 2018.
 Main arguments:

1. Culture and values are central to understanding public policy, influencing political choices,
accountability mechanisms, and the policymaking process.
2. In democratic societies where people can vote for their leaders, they often pick candidates
who share their overall culture and values, rather than focusing on specific plans that might
not happen exactly as promised. (EXAMPLE: In the Philippine context, the election of
Robin Padilla as a senator could be an example. Robin Padilla, a popular actor known for his
action films, may have been elected based on his celebrity status and the values he represents
in the entertainment industry rather than having detailed policy plans. Voters might have been
drawn to him because of their shared cultural appreciation for his work in films, reflecting a
preference for candidates aligned with their cultural values rather than those with specific
policy proposals. This illustrates how cultural values can play a significant role in democratic
elections, influencing voters' choices.)
3. Political leaders share their values through policies, and voters decide based on how well they
think a leader fits with their culture. This makes it tricky to hold leaders responsible for the
actual results of their policies.
4. In situations where decisions are guided more by values than practical considerations,
traditional tools like cost-benefit analysis may not be as useful for evaluating the impact of
policies.
5. The paper proposes ways to make leaders more accountable, enhance policy implementation,
and provide tools like symbolic action, building organizations, decentralization, and
understanding tipping points. These tools are designed to guide policymaking by considering
cultural and values-based perspectives.
6. The paper recognizes the significance of evidence in policymaking, highlighting its
importance in receiving feedback from the front lines. However, it also advises caution,
noting that evidence can be shaped by cultural context and values. (EXAMPLE: In the
Philippines, let's look at an environmental policy, like banning single-use plastics. The
evidence backing this could be scientific studies on plastic pollution and success stories from
other countries. But here's the twist: in a society that values convenience and affordability,
some might resist the ban due to their cultural preference for easy and cheap packaging. So,
the debate isn't just about science; it's about how well the policy fits with cultural values
around convenience and cost. In this example, evidence and culture go hand in hand, and
both need attention when creating and enforcing policies.)
7. The conclusion strongly supports the idea that policymaking should give more importance to
culture and values. It suggests that understanding and collaborating with these factors, rather
than opposing them, result in more successful policy outcomes.
AGREEMENT
 Explanation on whether we agree or not & provide examples and evidence from the paper to
support your answer:
 Yes, we agree with the idea of considering culture and values when making policies. The paper
convincingly argues that understanding culture and values is essential in shaping effective policies. It
emphasizes that people's decisions, especially in a democratic setting, are often driven more by
cultural alignment and shared values with policymakers than a detailed analysis of policy proposals.
The example of Donald Trump's promise to build a border wall and its reception among Americans
serves as evidence. (It’s in the paper) Some didn't think it would work well, but the announcement
showed a strong belief in certain ideas, like being against immigration and cultural changes. This
shows that political decisions aren't just about getting things done, but also about expressing cultural
values. The paper suggests that when we judge policies, we shouldn't only look at how they
immediately work or save money. Instead, we should also think about how they impact our culture
and values in the long run. In the end, it says that looking at policies from a culture and values
perspective helps make better decisions, especially in diverse places like the Philippines.
GENERAL THOUGHTS (BASED ON FACTS)
 Strengths & Weaknesses of the paper:

Strengths:
1. Holistic Approach: The paper argues that culture and values need to be at the heart of
thinking about public policy. This holistic approach can lead to more successful policies as it
takes into account the prevailing culture and value systems.
2. Detailed Analysis: The paper provides a detailed analysis of why culture and values are
central to public policy, discussing aspects such as the role of value systems in determining
policy success, the importance of legitimacy, and how policies can help handle conflicts
between different sets of values.
3. Practical Implications: The paper also talks about how these ideas apply to real-world
policymaking. It explores how values play out in political discussions and suggests ways
governments can alter culture.
Weaknesses:
1. Lack of Empirical Evidence: The paper relies heavily on the author's personal experience in
policymaking, which gives useful insights. However, it might be lacking empirical evidence
or real-world data to back up the arguments.
2. Limited Scope: The paper does not attempt a comprehensive review of the relevant
literature. This could limit the scope of the discussion and potentially overlook important
perspectives or research in the field.
3. Cultural Bias: The paper acknowledges the cultural and value-loaded nature of evidence but
does not delve deeply into how cultural biases might affect the interpretation and utilization
of evidence.

 How does the paper contribute to public policy?

The paper “Culture, Values and Public Policy” contributes to public policy in several ways:
 The paper argues that culture and values need to be at the heart of thinking about public
policy. It suggests that policy is more likely to be successful if policymakers take these
aspects into account.
 It highlights that value systems are crucial to determining whether or not a policy will
achieve its stated goal.
 The paper emphasizes that legitimacy within prevailing culture and value systems is in itself
a desirable policy outcome.
 It points out that addressing tensions between value systems is an important role that the
political and policy processes play in a democratic polity
CONSIDERATIONS
 Implications of the paper for policy development:
1. The paper says policymakers should understand how people's culture and values influence
their views on policies.
2. When making policies, it's important to use both facts and what people care about. Policies
should consider both evidence and what's important to society.
3. Policymakers should quickly check if small changes in things like schools and hospitals are
working well. This quick feedback helps improve policies.
4. In dealing with other countries, symbolic actions (things that represent ideas) are important
tools. Policymakers should learn from foreign policy experts about using symbols effectively.
5. Policymakers should be honest about how stories, symbols, and personal beliefs influence
decisions. Instead of just using facts, they should work with these softer factors for better
results.
 Explain what aspects you would consider if you were a policymaker:

1. We would identify the culture and values of the people who are affected by or involved in the
policy issue, and understand how they shape their preferences, behaviours and expectations.
2. We would also reflect on our own culture and values, and how they influence our
assumptions, judgments, and choices, and be open to challenge and feedback from others.
3. We would align our policy objectives and design with the prevailing or desired culture and
values of the society, or explain and justify why we deviate from them, using evidence, logic
and empathy.
4. We would engage in dialogue and deliberation with diverse stakeholders and citizens, to
understand their perspectives, values and interests, and to foster a culture of participation,
trust and cooperation.

 Provide some concrete examples of policies that also considered culture-centred approach:
Indigenous Peoples' Rights Act (IPRA): Enacted in 1997, this law recognizes and promotes
the rights of indigenous peoples in the Philippines. It respects their cultural integrity,
ancestral domain, and self-governance, reflecting a policy approach that values and preserves
indigenous cultures.
Magna Carta for Public Social Workers: This policy considers cultural diversity in social
work practice. It emphasizes the importance of cultural competence among social workers,
recognizing the influence of culture on individuals and communities.
CONCLUSIONS
In summary, the paper highlights how culture and values are key in making effective public policies.
We agree that policymakers should consider these factors. Understanding people's values and
aligning policies with culture is vital. To take this forward, more research can explore how biases in
culture affect how evidence is used. Practical tools for policymakers to include cultural aspects in
their decisions would be helpful. Studying successful policies that considered culture in different
places could provide useful lessons.