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The nature of optimal public policy

The nature of optimal public policy The design of public policy must take human nature as an immutable constraint, both with a view to choosing the appropriate policy objectives and in regard to the human response and hence the effects of the policy. Once human nature is seen in the proper light and the multiple needs of society are recognized, it is not difficult to see the logic of a hierarchy of policy objectives with some being treated as tentative constraints and others as “maximands.” Optimal public policy making in the short term would treat those constraints as given but over the longer term the constraints themselves are also subject to revision by the “policy coordination centre.” Throughout this iterative process, public policy analysts will have done a great service if they can lay bare the trade‐off among conflicting policy goals and the relationship between policy choice parameters and policy target variables. http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png International Journal of Social Economics Emerald Publishing

The nature of optimal public policy

Lok Sang Ho
International Journal of Social Economics , Volume 27 (7/8/9/10): 7 – Jul 1, 2000
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Publisher
Emerald Publishing
Copyright
Copyright © 2000 MCB UP Ltd. All rights reserved.
ISSN
0306-8293
DOI
10.1108/03068290010337422
Publisher site
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Abstract

The design of public policy must take human nature as an immutable constraint, both with a view to choosing the appropriate policy objectives and in regard to the human response and hence the effects of the policy. Once human nature is seen in the proper light and the multiple needs of society are recognized, it is not difficult to see the logic of a hierarchy of policy objectives with some being treated as tentative constraints and others as “maximands.” Optimal public policy making in the short term would treat those constraints as given but over the longer term the constraints themselves are also subject to revision by the “policy coordination centre.” Throughout this iterative process, public policy analysts will have done a great service if they can lay bare the trade‐off among conflicting policy goals and the relationship between policy choice parameters and policy target variables.

Journal

International Journal of Social Economics – Emerald Publishing

Published: Jul 1, 2000

Keywords: Public administration; Policy management; Decision making; Social responsibility

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