Political feasibility analysis

Political feasibility analysis is used to predict the probable outcome of a proposed solution to a policy problem through examining the actors, events and environment involved in all stages of the policy-making process. It is a frequently used component of a policy analysis and can serve as an evaluative criterion in choosing between policy alternatives.[1]

Feasible policies must be politically acceptable or at least not unacceptable. Political unacceptability is a combination of two conditions too much opposition or too little support. One common mistake is widespread in practice that feasibility becomes a dominant criterion of preferable alternative.[2][3] Feasibility is “the state or degree of being easily or conveniently done”.[4] More plainly, one might ask “can we get this done?” Feasibility, as it pertains to the political arena, speaks to the political climate. The question then becomes: “In this political climate, can we get this done?”

Political feasibility is a measure of how well a solution to a policy problem, will be accepted by a set of decision makers and the general public. For a policy to be enacted and implemented, it must be politically acceptable, or feasible. A policy alternative's lack of political feasibility can often be attributed to its lack of political support or the result of controversy that may surround the issue the policy seeks to address.[5] Alternatively, a politically feasible alternative is one that has the greatest probability of "receiv[ing] sufficient political push and support to be implemented" given any specific constraints.[6]

When policy analysis generates policy alternatives, the political risks and costs associated with each can be important criteria for deciding between alternatives. A good policy alternative requires a certain amount of political feasibility, or implementation of the policy will be impossible. It is important to keep in mind, however, that feasibility alone does not make a policy "good." Examining all criteria is necessary for the implementation of socially responsible policy.

Politics are difficult to predict but it has been said that "no decision is ever made in complex systems without political feasibility having played some role."[7]

  1. ^ Webber, D. J. (1986), ANALYZING POLITICAL FEASIBILITY: POLITICAL SCIENTISTS1 UNIQUE CONTRIBUTION TO POLICY ANALYSIS. Policy Studies Journal, 14: 545–553. doi: 10.1111/j.1541-0072.1986.tb00360.x
  2. ^ Bardach, Eugene (2005). A practical guide for policy analysis : the eightfold path to more effective problem solving (2nd ed.). Washington, D.C.: CQ Press. ISBN 1-56802-923-3.
  3. ^ batdach (2005). A Practical Guide for Policy Analysis: The Eightfold Path to More Effective Problem Solving. ISBN 1-56802-923-3.
  4. ^ Merriam Webster
  5. ^ Bardach, Eugene (2005). A practical guide for policy analysis : the eightfold path to more effective problem solving (2nd ed.). Washington, D.C.: CQ Press. pp. 32. ISBN 1-56802-923-3.
  6. ^ Dror, Yehezkel (1971). Design for Policy Sciences. New York: American Elsevier. pp. 59–60. ISBN 9780444001054.
  7. ^ Krone, Robert M. (Spring 1981). "Political Feasibility and Military Decisionmaking". Journal of Political and Military Sociology. 9 (1): 50.