The Principles of Policy Thought: A Philosophical Approach to Public Policy

Policy thought combines political philosophy and public policy to create an innovative approach to formulating, configuring, and assessing public policy with ethics and efficacy.

Format: Hardback
Length: 156 pages
Publication date: 06 March 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Policy thought is a fusion of political philosophy and public policy formulation, delving into the underlying reasons behind political decisions and the processes employed to create and implement policies. In his comprehensive work, Lee identifies five fundamental principles that guide the development of policy thought. These principles are:
1. Policy Statism: This principle emphasizes the importance of government intervention in addressing societal problems and promoting public welfare. It draws upon the belief that government has a responsibility to act as a steward of the community and to use its power to address social injustices and promote equality.
2. Policy Goodness: This principle emphasizes the goal of creating policies that are fair, just, and beneficial to all members of society. It seeks to balance the interests of different stakeholders and to ensure that policies are implemented in a way that promotes the well-being and prosperity of the greatest number of people.
3. Policy Balance: This principle emphasizes the need for policies to be balanced and comprehensive, taking into account the various perspectives and needs of different stakeholders. It seeks to find a middle ground between competing interests and to ensure that policies are implemented in a way that is fair and equitable.
4. Policy Practicality: This principle emphasizes the importance of creating policies that are feasible and implementable. It seeks to identify solutions that are practical and can be successfully implemented within the constraints of available resources and political will.
5. Policy Humans: Interpenetrated Policy Humans with Non-humans: This principle recognizes the role of humans as both policymakers and beneficiaries of policies. It emphasizes the need for policies to be designed with a consideration of the human dimension, including factors such as individual rights, social values, and cultural differences.

These principles are derived from a diverse range of philosophical sources, including Confucianism, other East Asian philosophies, and contemporary Western political philosophy. Together, they provide a novel approach to formulating, configuring, and assessing public policy, with a strong emphasis on ethics and effectiveness.

Policy thought is a valuable resource for students, practitioners, and scholars of public policy and administration, as it offers a framework for integrating philosophical questions into practical policy-making. By understanding the underlying principles of policy thought, individuals can develop more informed and ethical policies that promote the well-being and prosperity of society as a whole.

Weight: 471g
Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032375410