Introduction
The process of making public policy is based on some collected information that is used to represent the views of the public on some issues. Such information is not collected from every citizen, but a sample determined by the data collector. The policy so formulated affects every citizen irrespective of whether they have contributed any information or not (Guess & Farnham, 2011 pp. 23). Some of the policies are formulated with objectives of protecting and serving the interest of some individuals who are perceived to have more power and influence than others. The communication and presentation of the analysis of views of the public regarding some issues are manipulated to represent the opinions of some people who belong to a particular class in the society. Thus, the role of policy analyst controlled to protect the interest of few individuals. This paper will provide an exploration of impacts of different stakeholders in the process of policy analysis. Also, the paper will discuss the policy position of a stakeholder in a virtual community in a conflict between a local school and a businessperson.
Role of various stakeholders in the process of public policy analysis
The analysis of public policies involves various stakeholders who make different contributions to the process. The analysts receive the information collected from the public about particular issues, analyze and present it to the policy maker for actions. The decision makers examine the presented information and formulate the policy that becomes an abiding rule to all citizens. The process of policy making is usually political and it relies on the agreements of the political leaders involved (Guess & Farnham, 2011 pp. 21). These people usually have the elite power, and when the policy touches on their personal interests, they tend to manipulate the analysis to fit their objectives. Thus, the role of policy analyst is put to jeopardy and whatever is presented does not reflect the will of the public but the interests of few individuals.
The analysis of public views is expected to advise the policy makers on the best policy formulation that will address public needs. However, the existence of divisive partisanship tends to hamper the implementation of such advice. Individuals with political powers, particularly leaders who incline objectively to their positions tend to oppose the implementation of any public policy that is likely to compromise their political stands. Thus, policy making is viewed as a process of making laws that will ensure people with power have been accorded full protection. Policy makers have swallowed the role of a policy analyst.
Policy analysts make an objective analysis that serves the benefits of a particular group with common interests. The collection of information is directed, and the analyst cannot present information that will portray a bad image of the leaders (Bardach et al., 2016 pp. 55). The information collected is scrutinized by these people to remove any perceived misstatements which they feel would damage their reputation. Additionally, the framing of the outcomes of the policy analysis is made with considerations of the reactions of the elite group. Therefore, the policy analysts should have little or no involvement in the political debates, especially on matters affecting the public since they present biased information and objective analysis.
The policy formulated using the information collected by the policy analysts affects many stakeholders ranging from the public to the business community. Most of these policies tend to depress some people as they elevate those with powers. For example, a taxation policy meant to collect more money to increase the salaries of political leaders will be supported and passed through political debates because its implementation will have benefits for these people. The collection of data and analysis will be carried out in favor of some individuals, and the analysis will be presented in a way that will show every citizen voted for such policy. However, when it comes to sensitive issues that have public interests such control of ownership of private guns, the policy analysis will be manipulated to protect the interest of few persons. Such policies tend to create and nurture social inequality in the society. Imposing big economic burden on some groups such as business community for the sake of protecting the interest of few individuals has severe implications for the development of the country. Therefore, public policy analysis should be performed independently to ensure that it provide a true reflection of the reality.
Virtual community stakeholders
The issue of gun control sparks different reactions from various individual and groups when something anomalous occurs with regards to the use of guns in the United States (Dimock & Doherty, 2013 pp. 3). Different stakeholders in the virtual community represent their views and act to protect their interests in matters relating to the gun use. An interesting thing is the divisive views that various individuals hold and present when it comes to control of ownership and protection of rights to use guns. The majority of Republicans and Democrats are in support of the policy that bans the ownership of guns by people with mental disorders (Dimock & Doherty, 2013 pp. 2). The conflict of interests is seen between different stakeholders as they attempt to protect their positions. The association of teachers holds different opinions with regards to the safety of schools and the issue of arming the security guards as well as the teachers with guns to improve school security. Members of the business community have different opinions on the same issue. Business people feel that the ownership of guns, as well as the control of use, must be prioritized because of their personal interests. The mass vandalism that occurs when students go on strikes provokes different stakeholders to react on the issue of gun control.
The government has the responsibility for providing the public with security. However, some individuals with high positions tend to demand more security that they advocate and support the sale of private guns. They object to the formulation of a database to track private guns because they don’t want to be followed in case they misuse guns when protecting their policy (Dimock & Doherty, 2013 pp. 1). Also, they try to manipulate the information collected for use in the formulation of public policy when they feel that their positions might be compromised by the implementation of a particular policy.
The virtual community comprises individuals who share similar ideas and have common interests. When something that touches on the interests of these individuals arises, they will be seen in the public space trying to present their view and resentments with regards to the policy. One of the issues that attract the attention of different stakeholders is the formulation of public policy that touches on gun ownership and control. Various stakeholders such as the members of Republican tend to express opposing opinions with Democrats on some matters pertaining to gun control. Other interested parties such as leaders of teachers associations will oppose some policies and support those that will favor their side.
In the conflict between the local school and a business person, the school administration and the business person have different takes on the issue since their interests are different. The business person wants to defend his property and life while the school administration is protecting the safety of students and school property. Therefore, a conflict of interest arises between the two stakeholders since each has some personal interests that they want to protect. The school administration supports the security and safety of school property and the students. However, the administration does not support the arming of teachers and security guards with guns since this will portray teachers as objects of fear and may compromise the delivery of quality education.
Various leaders of different virtual communities will have different interests when executing their roles. Some would take different views on various matters depending on what they want to achieve. A leader can support a particular policy and oppose another one even if the two policies are similar. Also, a stakeholder can take an alternative policy to protect some personal interests or achieve a particular objective in the face of public. The school administration and the leaders of teachers associations would have different interests in the conflict. Therefore, apart from ensuring the safety of school property and the security of students, the stakeholder in the teachers association particularly the most senior would seek to achieve public figure. He would want to popularize himself by taking an active role in the resolution of the conflict and expression of views on matters of gun control. Therefore, he would take the advantage of the occurrence of conflict between the school and the businessperson to suggest a policy that would make his name popular and protect his position.
Conclusion
The analysis of public policy has great political influence and therefore cannot be used as the basis for making political decisions. The analysts conduct biased collection of information and present their analysis objectively to serve the interests of some people. The formulation of public policy is not based on public views, but it relies solely on the opinions of few individuals who act only on their behalf and aim at protecting themselves. All stakeholders concerned should be involved fully in the analysis and formulation of policies because the policies affect every citizen. The collection of information should be conducted by an independent body and should not be interfered with by people with personal motives.
References
Bardach, E. Patashnik, E. M. (2016). A practical guide for policy analysis: The eightfold path to more effective problem solving (5th ed.). Washington, D.C: CQ Press.
Dimock, M., & Doherty, C. (2013). Gun rights proponents more politically active in gun control debate, several options draw majority support. Retrieved from http://www.people-press.org/files/legacy-pdf/01-14-13%20Gun%20Policy%20Release.pdf
Guess, G. M., & Farnham, P. G. (2011). Cases in public policy analysis (3rd ed.). United States: Georgetown University Press.
