Analysis on the possibility of perfect implementation of policy

Introduction

Public policy implementation is the process of turning the policy goals into reality. Whether the policy goals can be perfectly implemented largely depends on the effectiveness of policy implementation. In some degree, policy implementation is more difficult and more complex than policy-making due to the uncertainties caused by autonomy or discretion. Interest of different stakeholders need to be taken into consideration through the whole process of implementation. Besides these factors, there still lays countless obstacles in the implementation process. Actually in most cases, the policy goals can hardly be perfectly implemented.

This essay will firstly state the important role that policy implementation plays in the goals implementation. Then, by discussing two cases—“One Child Policy” that promulgated in 1970s and “Anti-corruption Policy” issued in 2013, it aims to explore factors and obstacles influencing policy implementation outcome and analyze the in-depth reason that make implementation process problematic. Finally, it will try to provide possible solutions available for implementation problems and motivate a better goals-implementation.

1.     The role of public policy implementation

Sabatier and Mazmanian list five stages of policy implementation: (1) the policy outputs, or decisions, of departments; (2) the compliance of internal and external target groups with those decisions; (3) the actual impact of the decisions; (4) the perceived impact of the decisions and (5) the political system's revision of the original policy (Mazmanian & Sabatier, 1983). These five stages could give a general idea of what is policy implementation. The role of public policy implementation mainly reflects in the following respects:

1.1 Policy implementation directly determines the realization of policy goals

Public policies are intended to solve certain social problems that have reached the institutional agenda. Nevertheless, no matter how awesome the policy is the policy outcome may not resemble the initial policy aims. Not until it being implemented the public policy means nothing. Generally speaking, the problem that initiated the policy-making process can only be solved effectively if the adopted policy is properly carried out. Whether the policy well implemented directly determines the degree of realization of policy goals.

1.2 Policy implementation is the basis of the public policy evaluation

Policy evaluation is a political act to assess the effectiveness, efficiency and value of policies. Policy evaluation can be conducted in a lot of ways and for various purposes but it has to be based on policy implementation. Only through the implementation process can it be possible to inspect if the public policy reflecting the public interest and effective for society governance. Public policies which are against the public interest or without realization possibility will be definitely checked out in implementation process. It is possible to assess the policy outcome and policy impact only after the policy being carried out. So the implementation process is also an examination for the public policy including the policy goals

1.3 Policy implementation is the vital approach of policy correction and supplement.

In the policy implementation process, problems and shortage of the seemingly perfect policy can be detected obviously. Especially for some policies with vital influence, the policy implementation at specific area before widely dissemination is particularly important. Like the case of China, the famous reform and opening-up policy did not be spread in the whole of China at once when it is initially issued. This policy was implemented at Shenzhen which is just a small place in China in the beginning to find the possible problems. After the tested implementation, the better policy was finally carried out throughout China. And today’s China gives the best evidence to prove the success of this policy(Wang and Chen, 2012). Hence, it is undeniable that policy implementation is not only the vital approach of policy correction and supplement, but also the guarantee of a perfect policy goals implementation.

All in all, policy implementation motivates better public policies and turns the regulations on paper into real existence. There is no doubt that policy implementation plays an important role in the realization of policy goals.

2.     Case Study

2.1  The implementation of “One Child Policy” (OCP)

China has implemented the One Child Policy since 1970s to relieve its population burden and lay ground for its accelerated industrialization and modernization. In light of the World Population Prospect (2015) by UN, China’s fertility rate was as high as 5.8 in 1970 when the central government initiated birth control policy. The rate decreased dramatically to 2.74 by the end of 1970s, with the total population amounting to 1 billion (The Report of the Sixth Nationwide Population Census, 2010). Despite the fact that the fertility rate was reasonable when compare to the international standard of 2.1, China’s large population base entailed an enormous increment. Therefore, in the year of 1980, the state issued an Open Letter on Population Control, advocating one child policy. The sixth demographic census carried out in 2010 suggests that the fertility rate surprisingly plummet to 1.8. But it should be highlighted that such low rate is mainly contributed by urban citizens who have realized the financial stress to raise children and choose to be DINKs (Double Income No Kids). On the contrary, farmers usually do not follow the one-child policy because labor force is of paramount importance.