POLI 4011 Chapter : Behavioral Assumptions Of Policy Tools
Document Summary
What is a policy tool: policy tools are the instruments through which governments seek to influence citizen behavior and achieve policy purposes, examples: sanctions, grants, public corporations, education, licensing. Assumptions of policy tools: public policy attempts to get people to do things they would not otherwise do or enables them to do things they could not have done otherwise. How do we get people to move: authority tools: statements backed by the legitimate authority of government that grant permission, prohibit, or require action under designated circumstances. When used with a target population, they are usually accompanied by another tool: incentive tools: rely on tangible payoffs, positive or negative, to induce compliance or encourage utilization. Assume individuals are utility maximizers and will not be motivated to action/inaction unless influenced, encouraged, or coerced by manipulation of money, liberty, life, or other tangible payoffs: types of incentive tools. Inducements: positive payoff, people choose higher valued alternatives.
