Policy analysis originated in the United States. In 1951, Lacewell and Lehnner collaborated to publish Policy Science in the United States, laying the foundation for policy analysis.
Lacewell is thus considered the founder of policy analysis. However, Policy Science received little attention after its publication. It wasn't until the late 1960s, when the emergence of various complex social problems exposed the limitations of systems analysis, that policy analysis began to gain traction.
Policy feasibility analysis can prevent resource waste
- Policy formulation requires significant human, material, and financial resources. Failure to conduct a feasibility analysis before implementing a policy can lead to inefficient resource investment. For example, a local government might want to implement a large-scale industrial support policy aimed at developing an emerging industry. Without prior analysis of local industrial foundations, market demand, and technological capabilities, it might blindly invest in building industrial parks and providing subsidies to enterprises. The result could be that the local area simply doesn't have the conditions to develop the industry, and the invested resources go to waste. This wastes government funds and leaves enterprises in dire straits, preventing them from achieving their intended industrial development goals. Consider the education sector.
If a new education reform policy, such as a change to the school system or a major curriculum overhaul, is hastily implemented without thorough research into the current state of educational resources, student needs, and the teacher workforce, it can lead to disrupted teaching and learning, making it difficult for students to adapt to the new learning model and for teachers to quickly adjust their teaching methods. This can ultimately impact educational quality and waste resources.
Policy feasibility analysis, however, can anticipate potential implementation challenges and ensure resources are used effectively. For example, when planning urban transportation policies, prioritizing subway construction, road conditions, and commuting habits can be prioritized, such as subway construction, road widening, or adding bus routes. This improves resource efficiency and avoids unnecessary waste.
Policy feasibility analysis helps improve policy effectiveness
- When policies are feasible, they are more likely to achieve their intended goals. For example, if a policy to reduce industrial pollution emissions takes into account factors such as the company's production technology, cost tolerance, and regulatory challenges, then during implementation, the company can gradually implement technological upgrades tailored to its specific circumstances to achieve its pollutant reduction targets. For example, when implementing environmental protection policies, some local governments first conduct surveys of enterprises to understand their production processes and equipment, then formulate phased emission reduction requirements and provide them with technical support and financial subsidies. This makes enterprises more willing to cooperate with policy implementation, leading to more significant policy results. Air quality improves, river pollution is controlled, and the ecological environment improves.
Regarding employment promotion policies, policies can be formulated after in-depth analysis of factors such as market demand and the quality structure of the labor force. For example, targeted vocational skills training tailored to the needs of emerging industries can be implemented to equip workers with in-demand skills, making it easier for them to find jobs. For example, some regions, responding to the rise of e-commerce, have provided training in e-commerce operations, logistics, and distribution. Many participants have successfully found employment in the e-commerce sector, effectively alleviating local employment pressures and increasing workers' incomes, thus achieving their goal of promoting employment.
Conversely, policies lacking feasibility will struggle to achieve their intended effects. For example, some regions have implemented policies to limit the number of motor vehicles, but without a comprehensive public transportation system, these policies have led to travel difficulties for many people. Consequently, the policies encountered significant resistance and ultimately failed to effectively control the growth of the number of motor vehicles and alleviate traffic congestion.