Pre-Recorded Lecture: Planning - A Focus upon Implementation

Further Reading:

Implementation only started to be recognised as significant in policy analysis from the 1970s. Before the 70s the process of policy was thought to be rather linear or 'stagist' where a problem was recognised, a policy was formed and simply implemented. The actual effectiveness of policy was not paid much attention despite many barriers to implementation.

At this time the hierarchy within the policy process reflected the 'rational-legal' mode of authority seen in many modern societies. This model was described by Max Weber, a German sociologist, who suggested that this mode of authority was highly efficient at "carrying out imperative control over human beings". This contradicts the idea of democratization and "people power". (Dorey, 2014, p.240)

An increase in globalisation and interconnectedness means that policies are even more subject to external factors and constraints. In Britain, there are growing numbers of organized interests and agencies and policy actors which reflect how policy issues are becoming more intertwined with one another. (Dorey, 2014, p.258)

Dorey, P. (2014) Policy Making in Britain: An Introduction. second edition. Los Angeles: SAGE.