Political Problems and Public Policy (POLS1102)

Week 1: Introduction

In the first session of this lecture, I will introduce you to a range of theories and a range of concepts that will help you structure your thinking about all of the content of the course. These relate to a systems analysis of politics and what is known as the policy cycle.

In the second part of this session, I will outline the key learning resources and discuss various aspects of the course profile (assessment etc.). You need to do three things in preparation: 1) go through this course profile and familiarize yourselves with the components of the course; 2) have a look at the POLS1102 reading list via the library catalogue. Hint: you can find out how to access that via the reading strategy section of this very course profile; 3) examine the 'policy packs' under learning resources in the course blackboard site. Choose one that interests you and begin to engage with it in preparation for the first tutorials.

Attend this lecture if you wish to see 100+ students standing on one leg...

Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03

No tutorials this week

This week you should be doing some introductory reading and having a look at the policy packs on Blackboard.

Week 2: Rational Choice and Climate Change

This week we begin discussing the biggest explanatory theories in political science. First cab off the rank is Rational Choice Theory. This theory presents a pessimistic (realistic?) view of politics in which decision-makers pursue their self-interests by calculating the easiest possible route to achieve their goals. Itﾒs a simple premise at the heart of the theory: we can explain and predict political behaviour if we can understand what our politicians want and how they go about trying to get it.

But rational choice theory is plagued by assumptions about who we are and how we behave and the critics say that it can only predict behaviour under particular conditions.

I'll start by setting out some of the key principles and applications of rational choice theory. We'll then go on to apply the premises of rational choice theory to a case study of climate change negotiations at the international level, presenting an argument that it can help explain collective action failures but not successes.

Attend this lecture if you wish to see an explanation of the prisoners dilemma with reference to mullets, holden utes and dilbert..

Learning outcomes: L01, L02

Introductory Tutorial 1

By now you should be signed up to a tutorial group. This week you will be introduced to your tutors and you will have your first tutorial session.

In preparation for this first tutorial you should:

1. Read one article or chapter from the reading list that is relevant to last week's introduction lecture. You will find the reading list for each week in this electronic profile under learning resources and a word copy is on Blackboard (also under learning resources).

2. Choose a policy pack and begin to read its contents. This will be the basis of your minor essay, so choose carefully.

Learning outcomes: L01, L02

Week 3: Constructivism and Asylum Policy

Constructivism is a 'theory of everything' in many ways as it teaches us about the way in which we perceive and build our own reality through ideas. As such, it can really apply to almost any aspect of politics. However, this ubiquitous appeal is also one of its weaknesses because it means that it is very difficult to clearly define a single theory of constructivism.

Nevertheless, we'll begin by discussing its development from social theory to a theory of international relations to a theory of public policy. We'll then go on to examine the framing of refugees and asylum seekers through the lens of constructivism. This is surely one of the most pressing political issues of our time given world events. This will be a tough week and there are no easy reads I am afraid but, in the end, you will be able to impress friends, family and hopefully your tutors with phrases like 'actually that's an anti-foundational epistemology' (ensure arched eyebrow when delivering for maximum academic effect).

Attend this lecture if you wish to see a magic trick involving the disappearance of a $20 note...

Learning outcomes: L01, L02

Rational Choice Tutorial 2

The main activity this week is to discuss rational choice theory in the context of the policy pack you have chosen. The key question is: what would rational choice theory lead you towards analysing in your chosen policy case?

You need to do a few things to prepare for this first session:

1. Read one or more sources from the reading list.

2. Take some notes about what you have read and bring them to class.

3. Think about what you have read in the context of your policy pack. What might you analyse from a rational choice perspective to understand that policy area better?

4. Be prepared to talk about all this in the tutorial.

Learning outcomes: L01, L02

Week 4: New Institutionalism and the GFC

This week's topic is new institutionalism. This is one of the most popular political science theories to emerge in recent decades. It explains politics and policy by focusing our attention on rules - both formal and informal - and how they structure our behaviour. You may not know it but you are enveloped by a huge number of institutional rules which, to some extent, condition how you think and act. Uncovering these rules helps us explain politics. We'll examine New Institutionalism; its development and variants before going on to apply it to a case study of the Global Financial Crisis - one of the largest political events of recent history.

This week's lecture will also include discussion of the first assessment, which is due soon!

Attend this weekﾒs lecture if you wish to learn how to queue properly!

Learning outcomes: L01, L02

Constructivism Tutorial 3

The main activity this week is to discuss constructivism in the context of the policy pack you have chosen. The key question is: what would constructivism lead you towards analysing in your chosen policy case?

Once again you need to do a few things to prepare for your tutorial:

1. Read one or more sources from the reading list.

2. Take some notes about what you have read and bring them to class.

3. Think about what you have read in the context of your policy pack. What might you analyse from a constructivist perspective to understand that policy area better?

4. Be prepared to talk about all this in the tutorial.

Learning outcomes: L01, L02

Week 5: Political Psychology and the Nudge

Psychology is the scientific study of how people behave, think and feel. Psychologists study everything about the human experience from the basic workings of the human brain to consciousness, memory, reasoning and language to personality and mental health. We'll introduce political psychology, however, as a broad field of study and then show how we can use it to explore policy failures There will be a really eclectic mix of examples in this lecture.

We'll then look at the idea of "nudge" which is being used increasingly by policy-makers in Australia and elsewhere, and which recently won Richard Thaler a Nobel Prize. Every day as we go about our business we're being nudged. Supermarkets nudge you towards the goods that they want you to buy, websites and apps nudge us towards consumer options without our consent, road signs nudge you towards driving safely, canteen queues nudge you towards healthy choices, urban architecture can encourage you to take stairs rather than lifts and marketing campaigns nudge us in all manner of directions (think recycling, sun protection and road safety, for example).

Attend this lecture if you wish to see a fly in a urinal producing public policy!

Learning outcomes: L01, L02

New Institutionalism Tutorial 4

You should now be in the groove re tutorials. You are reading, engaging with the policy pack and discussing how the theory illuminates the issues.

Add in some questions about your first essay to the mix this week.

Learning outcomes: L01, L02

Week 6: Feminism and Domestic Violence

Over the next three weeks we will be making a gear change from studying explanatory theory to normative theory. Normative theory is the study of what ought to be rather than what is ﾖ this is often simply called political theory. In other words normative theory makes an argument about how we can make our world better.

This week we are discussing feminism as a normative political theory, as a social movement and as a big influence on Australian public policy. Australia has pioneered government institutions and forms of public policy that are aimed towards rebalancing the gender divide. So I will introduce feminism, problematise various issues caused by patriarchy, discuss different waves of feminism and highlight the feminist movement's gains within government. I will be really interested in your opinion of what is called 'third wave feminism' (and now fourth wave feminism).

Then we'll focus on a case study of domestic violence. One in three women experience physical violence in Australia and, in Queensland alone, 180 cases of domestic violence are reported to police every day. The evidence also suggests that this problem is worsening despite federal and state policy strategies. Feminism has played a large part in framing this issue in the public's mind and getting it onto the political agenda but can it, especially in its contemporary forms, really influence policy now?

No jokes or gimmicks this week. This is serious stuff.

Learning outcomes: L01, L02

Free Week (No Tutorial)

Your first assessment is due soon so we are having a week without tutorials so that you can focus on getting your assignment done. However, you should take the opportunity to make an appointment with your tutor to talk with them about your essay (as they will be marking it!)

Learning outcomes: L01, L02

Week 7: Marxism and Industry Policy

In this session we are going to explore Marxism. Marxism is one of the best known and most misunderstood theories in political science and it can also be incredibly hard going. I am going to introduce you to some core elements of classical Marxism, pivot to discuss three faces of power which connects aspects of Marx to public policy, and then explore those faces in relation to a variety of features of industry policy and regulation.

It's difficult to find accessible texts on this topic - Ball and Dagger is pretty good though. If you are struggling with the reading, try starting with the three faces of power, which you will find in policy textbooks (such as Michael Hills book).

Attend this lecture if you wish to learn about UQs ﾑpillows-in-the-classroomﾒ society.

Learning outcomes: L01, L02

Feminism Tutorial 5

From here on in we will no longer rely on policy packs. Instead we will be looking to increase our focus on academic readings and discussion.

Your tutor will give you specific instructions for what they want from you in the remaining tutorials.

Learning outcomes: L01, L02

Week 8: Deliberative Democracy and Populism

And now for something completely different. In this lecture I am going to offer an explanation as to why we are currently seeing a rise in populist politics (think Trump, Brexit and many more). The most common rationale for the rise of right wing populism is that the victims of globalisation have finally found a voice and are protesting against their economic marginalisation. But you can also explain it with reference to problems that are inherent within representative democracy itself - afterall many people who support populists aren't economically marginalised. Which all takes us to deliberative democracy. The idea of deliberative democracy is that YOU (thats right you) get involved directly in the political decisions that affect you. You resolve your differences and make decisions along with government officials through rational and reasoned debate. In its most ambitious form it envisages conventional politicians being largely bypassed.

Deliberative democracy does not just exist in the minds of academics. I will spend some time going through real world examples of deliberative democracy in action (some from right here in Queensland). The argument from all of this is simple. Maybe if we had more control over the decisions that affect us, we wouldn't be disaffected enough to turn to populist demagogues.

Attend this lecture if you wish to become a citizen juror..

Learning outcomes: L01, L02

Marxism Tutorial 6

Your tutor will decide on the activities for this tutorial.

Learning outcomes: L01, L02

Mid Semester Break (No Classes)

Week 9: Street-Level Bureaucracy & Social Policy

We are now making another gear change into our final component of the lecture series. The last three lectures relate to specific theories about public policy. This week is a bit of an oddball. Rather than take one large theory and then play around with it in terms of public policy, we are going to engage with a series of smaller theories in which the key focus is how policy gets implemented on the ground. These are theories relating to policy implementation and street-level bureaucracy.

Let's imagine you have been elected as prime minister. You might have a great idea. It might be able to cure poverty or eradicate homelessness. But what happens when local levels of government donﾒt share your opinion? What happens if somehow your vision changes as it goes down through the cogs of government to become diluted and ineffectual at the street-level? A central question in all of this is whether we would like our public servants to be rule breakers. This is not particularly democratic but it might get us better services. Rather than a specific case study, this lecture will draw on a range of policy examples from ﾑwelfare stateﾒ policies to ask whether we need rule breakers and rule benders in our political system

Learning outcomes: L01, L02

Deliberative Democracy Tutorial 7

Your tutor will decide on the activities for this tutorial.

Learning outcomes: L01, L02

Week 10: Policy Streams and Gun Control

This week we will cover policy streams theory which is the single most popular theory used in the study of public policy. Three streams crossing over (problem, policy, politics), creating a window of opportunity, which a policy then leaps through. It's an overdose on metaphor but the policy streams model really has framed the way that we think about public policy. So we'll look at the theory and its critics and then we will explore it in relation to gun control in Australia and the United States.

Attend this lecture if you want to gaze into the heart of the U.S.A..

Learning outcomes: L01, L02

Street Level Bureaucracy. Tutorial 8

Your tutor will decide on the topic and activities for this tutorial.

Learning outcomes: L01, L02

Week 11: Governance and Disaster Management

This week we begin with theories of governance. Governance is a new term and a new discipline in political science. To study governance is to study the changing nature of the state and its attempts to steer public policy in non-traditional ways. There are some big claims at the heart of governance theory: that politics has changed radically over the past few decades, that international and private sector bodies beyond our control now shape public policy, and that we cannot really hold anyone accountable for policy problems. Big bold claims but are they true? We will discuss these issues and then look at how governance perspectives can help us unravel and explain aspects of disaster management. I will do this by focusing specifically on the Queensland floods of 2010-11, first from a government point of view and, second, from a victims perspective.

Attend this lecture if you wish to explore governance in Yeronga..

Learning outcomes: L01, L02

Policy Streams Tutorial 9

Your tutor will decide on the topic and activities for this tutorial.

Learning outcomes: L01, L02

Week 12: Exam Prep

Exam Revision: This is our final lecture. You made it (hopefully!).

Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03

No Classes