FUNNEL OF CAUSALITY

APPROACH BY
RICHARD HOFFERBERT

PRESENTED TO: DR. SHAFEI MOIZ HALI

 LAIBA ASIF
TEAM NOOR E BASR

MEMBERS MUHAMMAD HAIDER ALI

ALI KAZIM
AZKA FATIMA
NAIF KHALID
ALINA ALI
MUAAZ FEROZE KHAN
 • Hoffer Bert (1974) developed a conceptual
framework of the policy process with
governmental decisions as the dependent
variable
• This approach has guided research involving
cross-sectional comparisons of policy
INTRODUCTION decisions across states and localities
• Hoffer Bert approach has inherent limitations
when dealing with the role of substantive
information and interactions within
intergovernmental policy communities
• Hoffer Bert and Urice (1985) aggregated
nature of the variables and the neglect of
individual-level processes
Continued ..
• Hoffer Bert assumed that socioeconomic conditions and mass political
behavior-as mediated by governmental institutions and elite behavior-drove
policy decisions, a view that runs counter to a fair amount of research about
the ability of governmental elites to manipulate popular opinion.

• It is a useful starting point for cross-sectional comparisons and may still be

the dominant paradigm in comparative policy research. (SIGNIFICANCE)
STAGES OF DECISION MAKING

Historic-geographic Conditions (Stage 1)

• A decision (or decision pattern) is explained as the result of both direct and
indirect forces; it proceeds from historical-geographical conditions, the broadest
and most distant stage

Socio-economic Composition (Stage 2)

• Probably the most profound shock to political science that the behavioral
revolution of the past two decades has produced is the finding that demographic
composition (Hoffer Bert's stage 2) is generally the best predictor of policy output
 Continued…
• Political Demographers acknowledge that the linkage
mechanism is difficult to identify and to measure empirically,
but they also point out that while a community's
socioeconomic characteristics. Their main aim is to set
boundaries for possible action.

Mass-Political Behavior (Stage 3)

The general conclusion is that neither the attitudes nor the
behavior of the mass public constrain decision-makers very
directly, but they do define the broad parameters within which
political elites operate
 Governmental Institutions (Stage 4)
• According to Hoffer Bert, Governmental Institutions in terms
of the constitutional and legal directives which structure the
decision process in a specific policy area through the
assignment of legal rights and responsibilities

Continued ..
Elite Behavior (Stage 5)
• Here the process narrows down to those elites active in the
policy area, including, but not limited to, public office holder.
According to Hoffer Bert, the persons in position of
responsibility (Elites) respond to situations partially on the basis
of their personal attitudes and beliefs. Decision-makers, we can
assume, do more than simply strike a balance between
competing interests
 • National water policy (NWP).
Historical and geographical stream:
• Pakistan and India signed the Indus water treaty under World
PRACTICAL Bank

EXAMPLE • The geographic location of Pakistan places the country in the

heat surplus zone on Earth, putting it high on the vulnerability
scale of climate change
IN • there’s lack of equity in allowance upon the usage

CONTEXT
Socioeconomic conditions
OF • Our agriculture and economy is being disturbed due to the

PAKISTAN increased water crisis and disputes over the usage

NWP aims at a strategy that can optimize the economic, social
and environmental returns on water resources, ensure equitable
allocation among its competing demands as well as its judicious
use by consumers and safe disposal of post-use effluents
Mass political behavior
• constant political debate and action
• contributes to most of the economic pie.
Governmental institutions
• WAPDA
• PCRWR
• Ministry of Water Resources
Elites Behavior
• leading farmers or industrialists
• International pressures and concerns about water scarcity issues and increased climate
change and global warming
Being grounded in a set of principles that aim to promote greater national interest and the
welfare of the people of Pakistan.
• Comprehensive Regulatory Framework, Integrated Water Resource Management,
leveraging technology, storage, conservation and efficiency.
• Also focuses on the water pricing and mentions that are to be needed for the regional
cooperation challenges
THANK YOU!!!