Post University Government Program Evaluations Discussion and Responses
RE: Unit 6.1 DB: Rationality’s
Professor and class,
In this discussion, the author must identify the similarities and differences between market rationality and bureaucratic rationality. In addition, she must explain which is potentially most responsive to disadvantaged groups.
Public policy are put in place to reflect the interests of all citizens to the greatest extent possible (Karger & Stoesz, 2018, p. 168). According to Karger & Stoesz (2018, p. 170), rationalism can be used to assess the extent to which policy changes bring about intended outcomes. Bureaucratic and market are two basic forms of rationality that have served to facilitate social policy. Both rationalities share an objective of alleviating those in poverty, but there are differences between the two policies.
Bureaucratic rationality refers to the ordering of social affairs by governmental agencies (Karger & Stoesz, 2018, p. 170). According to bureaucratic rationality, civil servants can objectively define social problems, develop strategies to address them, and deploy programs in an equitable and nonpartisan manner (Karger & Stoesz, 2018, p. 170). Government, state, and local organizations collaborate to establish social policies within disenfranchised communities. Bureaucratic rationality takes its authority from the power vested in the state, and bureaucracies have become predominant in social welfare at the federal (through the Department of Health and Human Services) and state levels (Karger & Stoesz, 2018, p. 170). The emergence of macro and micro levels may assist to ensure adequate social welfare policies among the disadvantaged populations. This rationality is potentially most responsive to disadvantaged groups due to their deliverance in a nonpartisan manner. Government assistance may ensure the needs of disenfranchised groups are met, without fear of competition or a need of “supply and demand”. Bureaucratic examples include the community wellbeing power introduced under the Local Government Act 2000 facilitates cross-boundary partnership working between local authorities (Moseley, 2009, p. 8). Measures to encourage joint commissioning of services have been introduced in relation to healthcare, through the recent Joint Commissioning Process for Health and Wellbeing (Moseley, 2009, p. 8). Bureaucratic rationality ensure the consistency of welfare programs. Precision, speed, unambiguity, knowledge of the files, continuity, discretion, unity, strict subordination, reduction of friction and material and personal costs—these are raised to the optimum point in the strictly bureaucratic administration, and especially in its monochratic form (Gajduschek, 2003, p. 714). There are little to none unknown factors in bureaucratic rationality, so the pros and cons be may easily identifiable. We can calculate how much tax we have to pay for a certain amount of income (Gajduschek, 2003, p. 714). We can anticipate what kind of conditions we have to fulfill to be eligible for certain public services (Gajduschek, 2003, p. 714). We can predict if we get a license or not (Gajduschek, 2003, p. 714). We know how long the procedures will take (Gajduschek, 2003, p. 714). We will be informed in advance when and how we have to take part in the procedures, what kind of data we have to provide for these procedures, and so forth (Gajduschek, 2003, p. 714).
Market rationality refers to a reliance on the rule of “supply and demand” as a means for distributing goods and services (Karger & Stoesz, 2018, p. 170). While on the surface this may appear to be antithetical to the meaning of rationality, a high degree of social ordering in fact occurs within capitalism (Karger & Stoesz, 2018, p. 170). The success of a market economy relies on the ability of managers to survey needs, supply merchandise and goods, advertise, and limited competition. Market rationality is responsible for assisting nearly half of the American welfare population. Approximately half of Americans get their health and welfare needs met through employer-provided benefits that are ultimately derived from the market (Karger & Stoesz, 2018, p. 170). Market rationality is not the most responsive to the disadvantaged groups. Of course, market rationality is not a panacea for providing social welfare because the marketplace is not particularly responsive to those who may not fully participate in it, such as minorities, women, children, the elderly, or people with disabilities (Karger & Stoesz, 2018, p. 170). Market rationality is likely to present financial barriers for disadvantaged groups, as the priority of money comes into play. The idea of the benevolent planner, dispensing with individual rationality, is naturally attacked, not least in the public choice brand of economics itself (Vatn, 2005, p. 206). Here institutionally defined choice structures are completely neglected (Vatn, 2005, p. 206). There is only selfishness (Vatn, 2005, p. 206). The model of calculative market behavior is thus transferred also to the domain of policy making itself (Vatn, 2005, p. 206). Planning becomes mere ‘politics’—a market for the realization of the interests of policy makers or administrators themselves (Vatn, 2005, p. 206). Investors are less likely to invest if it is going to come with a financial burden, raising the prices for goods like food and welfare programs.
References:
Gajduschek, G. (2003). Bureaucracy: Is it efficient? is it not? is that the question? Administration & Society, 34(6), 700–723. https://doi.org/10.1177/0095399702239171
Karger, H. K. & Stoesz, D. (2018). American social welfare policy: A pluralist approach (8th ed). Boston, MA.: Allyn and Bacon.
Moseley, A. (2009). Joined-Up Government: Rational Administration or Bureaucratic Politics?i. Retrieved February 13, 2022, from https://d1wqtxts1xzle7.cloudfront.net/51122547/AMoseley_PAC_09_-_final.pdf?1483116053=&response-content-disposition=inline%3B+filename%3DJoined_Up_Government_Rational_Administra.pdf&Expires=1644786554&Signature=WUFCysxJmEKnmnXIkMzePnwvZ40KNDeskbEoLARX2FvvZ7iM2RoNUJ4JCQZsBQgWBaTBGgLDth1SxY7HLqKlPjT-S061sRwHwyaONnL1597rRvB6XQv~u7JIAu2DqVDv6sHM0PJ-6kKtLG7oyQ2E6oWXvETdBhEfSA5U6GsVwUMexRZu2xPV9flBWeTd9d1qth5bwxBzyt5Rbfp-NLnsfc~9Ghag0TTPqaQYWNsVUfEvagnc~Q6Yg-MHHnxyedB1B-k71rQC6yG7S6lgt5DvVH0~30ML5oAgL87KWLQsVIK-EOzAGCsndETIf08l-XvpmCOBm5HlIdkO0AZuzi0vcQ__&Key-Pair-Id=APKAJLOHF5GGSLRBV4ZA
Vatn, A. (2005). Rationality, institutions and environmental policy. Ecological Economics, 55(2), 203–217. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolecon.2004.12.001
Hayley R
RE: Unit 6.1 DB: Rationality
Rationality measures the effect of a policy against what it promises on either the bureaucracy or the market as a mixed market economy relies on rationality in meeting people’s needs in social affairs in government and capitalism-consumer affairs (Karger & Stoesz, 2017). Both are meant to help the people but vary in their methods, similar to positive and negative rewards. Bureaucratic rationality removes systemic problems while the market provides goods or services to people (2017). High bureaucratic rationality takes time to develop the policy but breaks the cycle of problems redeveloping. The lack of tangible factors with wordy policies is difficult for people to show support. Market rationality is more of an immediate domino effect. Raising taxes only works if money is well spent for programs that help more people. However, it lacks a long-term solution, and the desired chain reaction does not always follow a passed bill. Both rational policies respond to the needs of people, but market policies are an immediate answer, while bureaucracy is a delayed education response.
Reference: Karger, H. J., & Stoesz, D. (2017). American Social Welfare Policy (8th Edition). Pearson Education (US). https://bookshelf.vitalsource.com/books/9780134543468
RE: Unit 6.2 DB: Government Program Evaluations
The government program evaluations were not fulfilled due to a somewhat irregular, irrational, and unrepresentative (Karger and Stoesz, 2017, p. 179). So, the groups that are in the upper level of the social stratification populating the institutions through the policy were made. Since many members of Congress tend to be wealthy the average Republican makes more money than a Democrat. When it comes to the welfare policy, the welfare beneficiaries need to adjust to the rules that are established by the other social groups. Executives and professionals are the primary players in the social policy game (Karger and Stoesz, 2017, p. 180).
The lower socioeconomic groups seem to lack the influence in the social policy process when it comes to virtually building into the governmental decision-making (Karger and Stoesz, 2017, p. 180). The government policy will also pose some problems for the administration and the practitioners. These policies will frequently reflect the assumption when it comes to the human condition that might give some reason to the upper socioeconomic groups. These could give some resemblance towards the reality towards the lower socioeconomic groups that are there to benefit.
References
Karger, H. J., & Stoesz, D. (2017). American social welfare policy: A pluralist approach. Pearson.
Marie S
RE: Unit 6.2 DB: Government Program Evaluations
Professor/Class,
Due to the increasing number of social welfare programs, the scrutiny of these has become an important task for policymakers. After the abuses of the 1970s, Congress established additional agencies to oversee these programs. Various government units conduct evaluations to determine if programs are being offered efficiently. Doing so can help determine if they should be expanded or modified. In 2002, the number of programs that were deemed ineffective decreased from 55 to 25 percent. Evaluations are especially important to the public as they can help inform policymakers about the effectiveness of government programs. In addition, they can help determine if a certain project or service should be expanded Karger et al (2018).
There have been several changes in the way assumptions about program effectiveness and political responsiveness are used in decision-making. For instance, many governments have contracts with non-profit organizations to perform evaluation services for their specific programs. However, when political connections are involved, these relationships can be problematic and lead to inaccurate reports. Sometimes, reports that are inaccurate can be used to justify or improve a particular program or service. For instance, in 2012, a Congressional Research Service report stated that tax cuts for the rich did not boost the US economy Karger et al (2018).
The same year, a report released by the Congressional Research Service was withdrawn after it was revealed that its author made political contributions to groups that support Democratic candidates. Due to the increasing number of firms that specialize in analyzing welfare programs, it has been criticized and questioned the validity of these reports. The use of private firms and government workers as evaluators has been known to create conflicts of interest. Most of the time, the wealthy individuals are more likely to find programs that are not working than those with political connections. The lack of influence of lower-income groups in shaping social policy has been the subject of studies. This phenomenon, which has been referred to as non-decision making, has been observed in various governments Karger et al (2018).
This phenomenon is expected to affect various groups, such as women and African Americans. During the time of their historical oppression, they were not allowed to make decisions. The richer individuals are more likely to make poorly considered and biased decisions when it comes to assessing government programs and policies. For instance, the Child Support Enforcement program assumes that fathers with regular, well-paid jobs can provide for their children’s needs. However, they often find it difficult to meet their court orders due to the intermittent nature of their work Karger et al (2018).
References
Karger, H. K., & Stoesz, D. (2018). American social welfare policy: A pluralist approach (8th ed.). Boston, MA.: Allyn and Bacon.
Marie S
RE: Unit 6.3 DB: Helping Professionals
Professor/Class,
This discipline proposes to analyze the political and administrative systems that influence society and the economy. Social welfare policies are often complex and time-consuming Karger et al (2018). Much of the complexity of social policy in the U.S. can be attributed to the various systems of government that make it possible for people to have multiple social interests at the same time. This complexity can leave social workers feeling exhausted. It can also make it hard for them to formulate effective policies to improve the conditions of disadvantaged groups. The increasing involvement of wealthy individuals in shaping social policy has left marginalized groups underrepresented. Unfortunately, some social workers are still involved in policies that were created by individuals who do not necessarily represent the interests of the clients or the human service professionals they work for Karger et al (2018).
The ability to manage and understand complex programs and organizations is a vital skill that welfare professionals should acquire to improve their work. A lack of involvement can have various consequences for the clients and the professionals involved Karger et al (2018). For instance, it can mean having to follow rules and procedures that are not aligned with the social context of clients. The lack of involvement can also cause frustration to the public, as social programs that seem to work often do not seem to work. This could be the reason many people distrust social workers. This discipline involves conducting studies on social problems and analyzing social policies to identify opportunities to improve welfare provision. The involvement of social workers in analyzing social policies can help them develop effective programs and solutions that address the needs of their communities Karger et al (2018).
Becoming involved in political practice can help social workers regain their role in shaping social welfare policies. This discipline requires individuals to have the necessary skills and attitudes to make it happen. Social workers can also use their knowledge and skills to improve the conditions of the disadvantaged populations. Many pioneers in this field then went on to establish and manage social welfare programs Karger et al (2018). For instance, Barbara Mikulski was a prominent figure in the political arena who was able to influence the policies related to health and social services. Her work in the local level can help social workers regain their influence in shaping social welfare policies. Getting political experience and skills can help social workers reverse the downward trend in their field. Motivated individuals can find rewarding work in this field if they have the necessary skills and can effectively perform their duties Karger et al (2018).
References
Karger, H. K., & Stoesz, D. (2018). American social welfare policy: A pluralist approach (8th ed.). Boston, MA.: Allyn and Bacon.
Ellen G
RE: Unit 6.3 DB: Helping Professionals
Professor and Class,
Few human service professionals consider social policy advocacy an enterprise worthy of undertaking. Most social workers prefer direct service activity, in which they have little opportunity for direct involvement in social policy(Karger, &Stoesz,2018). Nevertheless, some social workers attain important positions in federal and state human service bureaucracies and are close to the policy process(Karger &Stoesz,2018).
No longer primarily state employees charged with providing social care, social workers play more varied roles in the social services (Gal &Weiss-Gal,2010). They are undertaking administrative roles in state services on local and national levels. They are also employers and employees in non-profit agencies, leaders of advocacy organizations, and members of citizen groups(Gal &Weiss-Gal,2010). Professionals have often been identified as playing a unique role in decision-making in welfare states due to their role as the providers of services offered, funded, or regulated by the state (Gal,&Weiss-Gal,2010). Because of changing nature of governance in the welfare state, the role of professionals has been transformed, and it appears that the members of at least one profession – social work – are playing a growing and more diversified role in this process(Gal,&Weiss-Gal,2010).
Social work has been more concerned with embracing the profession and less concerned with the issues of racism, sexism, poverty, and access to health care” (Welte,2016). Arthur goes on to articulate that the social work profession has moved from being leaders in community practice to serving in secondary roles, essentially having handed over these responsibilities to organizations or governmental bodies which do not necessarily have the same principles and ethics of social work: “…we are not at the table (or barely at the table) as these new articulations of community practice are forming.” She goes on to suggest that those in the social work profession take more proactive responsibility in being aware of the groups that are doing this work and sharing the information with social work colleagues, reaching out to the groups to participate in the work by attending conferences, dialoguing, and networking (Welte,2016).
References
Karger, H. K. & Stoesz, D. (2018). American social welfare policy: A pluralist approach (8th ed). Boston, MA.: Allyn and Bacon.
Gal, J., &Weiss-Gal, I.,(2010). Social Policy formation and the role of professionals: The involvement of social workers in Parliamentary committee in Israel.https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Idit-Weiss-Gal/publication/46819411_Social_policy_formulation_and_the_role_of_professionals_The_involvement_of_social_workers_in_parliamentary_committees_
Welte, Patricia. (2016). The Social Worker and Successful State Social Policy. Retrieved from Sophia, the St. Catherine University repository website: https://sophia.stkate.edu/msw_papers/682
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