A Multivariate Model of Public Policy-Making

Abstract

Political scientists have explored policy-making from many perspectives, e.g., demographic characteristics, constituency preferences, decision-makers' attitudes, the influence of career bureaucrats, and the input of interested and affected citizens. While the empirical evidence marshalled around each is often rich, seldom have two or more of the perspectives been systematically integrated. Richard Hofferbert's recently developed multivariate (six-stage) model of the public-policy process provides the needed conceptual overview. In this study we apply Hofferbert's model to a specific policy area: environmental-protection and land-use regulation by the powerful Califomia Coastal Commissions. The results suggest the general usefulness of the model in guiding both conceptual thinking and data analysis. They also suggest several important areas where refinement and greater specificity of the model is needed.