The Value Of Kingdon Multiple Streams - Essay Example

Assess The Value Of Kingdon &Apos;S Multiple Streams Approach For Analysing Agenda-Setting Table of Contents Introduction 3 Discussion of multiple streams approach for analysing agenda-setting 4 Assessment of the value of Kingdon in the context of multiple streams approach for analyzing agenda-setting 9 References 19 Bibliography 22 Introduction Agenda setting is the method under which the problem is brought into the focus of governing authority to implement a required solution for mitigating the same. The paper focuses on multiple stream approach that examines that how agenda is set for public policy. The multiple stream frameworks examine the importance of agenda setting. Multiple streams are used to analyse various issues of public policy for example reading, sport events in educational institutes, student retention and many more. The multiple stream theory is different from other models of public policy because it explains the relation between the external environment and issues involved. The multiple stream frameworks are a combination of different public issues as well as ideas and politics (Howlett & et. al., 2009). The framework provides an opportunity to move the policy issue in the government agenda. The framework is helpful in developing strategies that is applicable for different policy areas and analyse how the policies are framed in case of lack of self-interest of the individuals. The Kingdon model analyses the situation in which the issues are involved in the political agenda and puts certain problems at the different level of priority. In addition, this theory also describes how the alternative solution to the issues is developed (Zahariadis, 2007). The Kingdon model of multiple stream theory is based on three elements that are ‘policy’, ‘problem’ as well as ‘politics’ (Furlong, n.d.). The three factors of the model facilitate change in the policy. The three streams of the Kingdon model are different from each other and are often guided through separate rules. The problem factor of the model is essential for agenda setting because it defines certain condition of the concerned issue. The ideas of the policy makers are translated to relevant policies, as they are feasible and acceptable. On the other hand, the politics stream of the Kingdon model indicates the legislative turnover, the increase in administrative pressure or dependence on nation (Howlett & et. al., 2009). The implementation of the three streams of Kingdon model in public policy ensures increased attention of the policy makers because the three factors result affects the changes in agenda. Timing is one of the vital factors in agenda because it influences the particular problem and policies linked with the issue of public policy. The three elements of the Kingdon model are independent of each other. However, for the success of agenda it is necessary that any two elements of the model overlap at a time. The concept of policy window of the Kingdon model indicates overlapping of the elements. With this regard, the paper focuses on Kingdon model of multiple stream theory and its essence in agenda setting (Bache, 2012). Discussion of multiple streams approach for analysing agenda-setting The multiple streams framework was designed by John Kingdon. The framework was designed to support the decision making process of involved in agenda setting. The framework was later extended to full process of policymaking that includes “complexity”, “ambiguity”, and “time” factors (Dickey, 2009). The “garbage can model” was used by Kingdon in the approach of multiple streams. The model identifies an organization as “organized anarchy” that comprises of preferences of problem, technology and participation. The term problem indicates that the member of an organization does define accurate problem. In addition, the process of organization is not clear to the organizational members and therefore they are unable to contribute to the organizational framework. The garbage model comprises of problem, participant, solution, and opportunity that is the base of Kingdon Agenda-Setting concept (Dickey, 2009). The concept of garbage model was used by Kingdon to examine the agenda setting of government. The concept of “organized anarchy’ was mainly applied in case of Federal Government with respect to agenda setting. A modified form of garbage model was applied for agenda setting that mainly include three factors that is problems, policies and politics. The problem factor catches government attention and new policies are developed according to the concerned issue. Additionally the opinion of the public and interest groups affects the policy design of federal government. According to the concept of Kingdon, agenda setting, it involves the process of identifying the relevant problems and providing solutions to it in order to gain government attention (Weiner, 2011). An agenda covers various public problems, examining the cause of such issues and bring it to the attention of government officials. Agenda exists in mostly all bodies of government and at all levels including state as well as country. Agenda at each level of government comprise of different issues those are to be actively considered for discussion (Dickey, 2009). All the problems or the issues identified in agenda setting are classified based on the enactment of the solution and policy framed in respect of the same. It has been further argued in the context of agenda setting that systematic agenda mainly comprises of the issues perceived by the political members within the limit of governing authority. The legal limit of the existing government depends on the margin between “systematic agenda” and “agenda universe” (Dearing & Rogers, 1996). When a public issue is identified and it moves in agenda that may result into competition or controversies among the participants regarding defining the issue including the policies and solution. For instance, the incidence of shooting that occurred in Columbine High School in year 1999 has raised the issue of violence with respect to national importance. Therefore, violence in educational institute was the issue on agenda, but the issue has raised other controversies regarding culture, parental influence, and use of guns among the school students. The controversy was between the occurrence of event and measures to be implemented to prevent such issue (Dickey, 2009; Fischer & Miller, 2007). The three elements of Kingdon’s multiple streams approach can facilitate as well as act as a restriction to the development of policies and ideas in agenda setting. The political affairs affect the issues raised by agenda and have the potential to change public or government opinion regarding the issue. The political power of individual either acting in group or single is likely to influence function of policy developed. In the context of political power, it has been further argued that some problems are more liable to reach agenda as compared to other as a result of biasness of political system. For instance, the political system of United States is based on self-reliance and therefore education, health, or job issues are not considered for agenda problems. This indicates the fact that United States is slower as compared to other nations in providing these services (Scholten, 2013; Howlett & et. al., 2009). As a political process, agenda setting can directly influence formation of policies under a government. According to Dearing & Rogers (1996), the process of agenda setting includes media, public and political agendas. Therefore, the process depends on connection between mass communication and other political factor. Media agenda depends on the issue focused in mass communication whereas policy agenda depend on the actions with respect to concerned issue. Figure-1 (Components of Agenda Setting) Source: (Dearing & Rogers, 1996) The appointed officials like the members of parliament, president and other plays a vital role in agenda setting. The power and authority of the elected officials enables them to take major decisions regarding policy setting as well as placing major issues in agenda (Scholten, 2013). The process of agenda setting is likely to be affected by conflict of power between parliament and government. For instance, the governing authority of France and United Kingdom has more power with respect to agenda setting. Therefore, the government is able to produce preferable outcome of issue. On the other hand, in case of Netherland and Italy, due to lack of power within the government decisions making the judgements thus taken are likely to be altered by parliament (Dearing & Rogers, 1996). According to Knill & Tosun (2012), the formation and implementation of policies are largely influenced by bureaucracy. The power of bureaucracy plays a crucial role not only in developing agenda but also in the proposals given by the participant members. In addition, the multiple streams approach defines the relationship between mass media and agenda setting. Moreover, media coverage presently covers public opinion and affects the process of identification of issue for policy formation with respect to agenda setting. It has further been argued in this context that an issue covered by media is likely to be influenced by the power of political parties. The power of mass media in agenda setting is based on the type of concerned issue. For instance, the issue in agenda setting has been classified as “governmental”, “sensational” and “prominent” (Knill & Tosun, 2012, p.116). The Government Issue includes for example policies introduced through budget that has no effect on general population. On the other hand, the sensational issues are those that catch media attention. This could be ascertained that prominent issues affect the life of public even without any involvement of media. For instance, the effect of inflation results increase in price of products and services that is likely to be felt by the individual without any media coverage in relation to the concerned issue. The interest group also affects agenda setting in creating awareness about the concerned issue and seeks for public attention (Sabatier, 2006). Correspondingly, the interest groups are involved in identifying the issue and informing the elected participants to assist in agenda setting. The impact of interest group on agenda setting depends on the availability of human resource, experts and other factors that in turn affects public opinion. In addition, the access to different resources is also influenced by the interest of politicians and government. According to Knill & Tosun (2012), the political and economic interdependence affects the formation of policy as well as agenda setting. It has further been considered in this case that economic integration also restricts the formation of policy agenda. For instance, association with WTO restricts moving of issue related to import quota or other trade restrictions to the decision agenda. The identification of the problem and its inclusion in the agenda is followed by the decision making process by the relevant participants involved with policymaking. The decision making process comprises of two steps that is drafting a proposal and its adoption in set of policies. The process involved in forming the policy is a matter of conflict between the participant members because it involves decision with respect to the policy design. The two steps involved in decision-making process is a subject to both substantial as well as process limitations. The procedural limitation includes the restriction due to power and authority of politics. On the other hand, the substantial limitation includes the problems related to the concerned policies and the issues that need to be solved by the policy makers (Sabatier, 2006). The movement from identification of problem and policy formation to adoption stage reduces the number of participants involved in agenda setting. The adoption of new policy is likely to be affected by the decision of public participants whether to accept or reject the bill. The acceptance of new policy is also a controversial issue and therefore results into debate between the members of parliament and voting process (Knill & Tosun, 2012). Assessment of the value of Kingdon in the context of multiple streams approach for analyzing agenda-setting Policy defines the choice of action and the decisions taken by the policy makers related to different issues. On the other hand, public policies undertaken by the government indicates that such policies affect the people of society either directly or indirectly. According to Ndlovu (n.d.), the Kingdon model defines agenda as problems or issues to which the government or other policy makers pays increasing attention at a time. The main aim of agenda setting is to increase the focus on the major issues. These issues are selected based on priority settings by the government, which are selected based on certain factors. Some of the factors are likely to affect the agenda, which have been identified by Kingdon. These factors create major influences on selecting agendas and developing solutions for the same based on priority for developing the solution for the same. The process through which the contents of agenda take place or the participants involved in policy making are likely to affect the setting of agenda (Soroka, 2002; Sabatier, 2006) . The participants play a major role in moving the issue to the governing authority. Participants to agenda setting are the individuals who are likely to be the source of any issue. The appointed political members along with the president are considered as internal participants of the agenda setting. On the other hand, media and public also act as a source for developing an agenda. The classification of the type of participants indicates that the issues reach the agenda in different ways. It has been largely noted at the backdrop of the agenda settings that the selected issues are generally transferred by the public in the form of electing people through elections whom they feel adequate of addressing the same (Soroka, 2002; Howlett & et. al., 2009). According to the concept developed by Kingdon, changes can take place in the agenda with respect to the change in political control or change in thoughts. In addition, the elected or the party members are the source of transferring the public issues to the government and catalyst agenda setting. Apart from the external members, the internal participants of the governing body also affect the agenda setting. The internal participants of the government represent the administration that are responsible for developing the agendas on a basis of priority for meeting with the emergence of providing solution to the same. The administration comprises of president and other officials who are often elected members (Perry, 2009; Dickey, 2009). According to the theory developed by Kingdon, the political or other elected members are not involved in suggesting ideas but are responsible for placing the ideas on the agenda of the concerned individuals. The appointed political members use the ideas that are formulated by the President in order to take relevant actions according to the concerned issue related with agenda settings. Through elections, there are high chances of appointing members from different mental setting, which are in turn going to affect the agenda setting. The appointment of the members after the elections affects the agenda because of the other promises made by the concerned individuals during the campaign prior to elections. The public considers election as a source of policy change that affects the agenda setting. The Kingdon approach states that the change in administration is likely to bring changes in the public policy and affect the agenda settings that were developed under the previous administration set up (Perry, 2009; Assendelft, 1997). The outside participants of an administration set up represent different members including the professionals, public groups and other labour forces. The agenda setting is affected by the influence of the interest groups. The interest group includes self-alternatives to agenda that is likely to affect the solution of concerned issues. The interest groups may include business professionals, public groups, or other official members. The interest group members are likely to promote changes in the government actions that in turn affects the agenda setting (Bache, 2012; Ndlovu, n.d). The media is also considered to be one of the participants and therefore likely to affect the public opinion with respect to agenda setting. Media is considered independent of any type of governmental influences and therefore is likely to report only ongoing activities. In addition, media acts as an intermediary for individuals within the policy community. Moreover, media is likely to affect the opinion of the individuals that in turn affects the policy implemented. Media even acts as one of the important sources for the outside participants and assist them in communicating their problems to government. However, media is responsible for collecting different issues at a time and therefore it has less impact on agenda setting. Additionally, the public opinion is crucial in agenda setting as it influences the views of political members during elections. According to the concept developed by Kingdon, the public opinion has more power as compared to other participants and has the capacity to force the government authority to implement changes in agenda (Perry, 2009; Kingdon, n.d.). The Kingdon in the context of multiple streams approach also includes both visible as well as hidden participants. The visible participants include President, other official members, political parties and media. On the other hand, the hidden members are lower level political members as well as academics and other staffs. It is thus observed that the agenda setting is mostly affected by the presences of the visible rather than hidden members (Tepper, 2004; Kingdon, n.d.). The three factors that majorly affect a political system include “problems”, “policies” and “politics’ (Furlong, n.d., p.1). According to the agenda setting theory developed by Kingdon, the problem stream includes a number of issues those are likely to catch the attention of public. However, the problem stream indicates that the policy makers should give more importance to the priority issues over the other problems. One of the indicators of the problem stream is the state of crisis that results in changes in agenda. For example, an accident that has occurred catches the attention of most of the people because different private agencies as well as government organization are involved in checking the activities. In addition, the cost involved in setting up a relevant programme initiated is a major factor that affects the decision-making involved with setting of an agenda. This cost factor is likely to force the setters to implement changes in the plan (Green-Pedersen& Walgrave, 2014; Kingdon, n.d.) A proper development of agenda setting requires that essential issues move to the government for definite solution. For this purpose, the government organizations as well as private agencies conduct research activities to identify the potential issue that needs to be solved within due time frame. According to Kingdon, feedback system is another measure through which the problem can be identified. The feedback system raises the attention of the government authority with respect to the problem or issues that are identified. The agency plays an important role in providing appropriate feedback to the government officials (Dickey, 2009; Green-Pedersen& Walgrave, 2014). The theory further examines that the evaluation of a programme before implementation gives a proper feedback regarding the effectiveness of the same. Moreover, the feedback system enables collection of the information regarding the on-going programmes as well as a proper examination of the programme enables identification of major issues of concern. The feedback collected also includes the different complaints raised by general public and other members of society that in turn has the potential to affect the agenda setting. According to Kingdon, ideas are the major source that can influence change in agenda setting (Dickey, 2009; Howlett & et. al., 2009). The ideas generated acts as source for catalysing the changes that are incorporated in setting an agenda. The policy stream of the Kingdon’s theory is the stage that enables the development of possibility with respect to the concerned issue identified. It has been further argued that ideas have the potential to change the proposed policy of the agenda setters. The policy stream of Kingdons concept of agenda setting also allows the participation of public in suggesting ideas for agenda. However, the main role in agenda setting is performed by the specialists in policymaking. It has been further highlighted using the theory of Kingdon, that the processes of discussion among different members as well as the introduction of new bill are some of the factors, which are likely to affect the policy stream (McCombs, 2014; Green-Pedersen& Walgrave, 2014). The political stream is affected by different factors attached with the concerning nation, administrative or legislative pressure. The impact of nation over the agenda setting involves diverse factors including the total population of a country having similar opinion, the final results of elections, and other administrative factors are noted to affecting agenda setting. The change in the political climate for example the selection of a new political member has the tendency to affect the agenda setting that is being developed. For the success of agenda setting, all the three elements that is identification of problem, development of policy as well as political activities is necessary. The figure-1 below indicates the process of agenda setting (Moran & et. al., 2006; Ndlovu, n.d.) Figure-1 (Agenda Setting Process) Source: (Ndlovu, n.d.) The factors that are addressed in Kingdon agenda theory are independent of each other. However, the overlapping of different factors opens policy window. The policy window gives an opportunity to the policy makers to force their ideas into the needs of agenda setting. In addition, the policy window facilitates the movement of issues involved in decision agenda rather than government agenda. The two factors identified from the model of Kingdon that opens the policy window includes, changes in the political activities or alteration within the administrative activities. The opening of window enables the policy makers and other participants to suggest their ideas (Moran & et. al., 2006). The identification of the problem issue and the development of relevant solutions offer an opportunity to policy makers to put forward the ideas with respect to the open window concept of Kingdon. This effectiveness of the policy even creates possibility of generating new ideas that may help in efficient handling of issues and opens new processes for meeting with the needs of solutions. It has further been argued that the presence of all the three elements of Kingdon has more potential to implement changes within the domain of agenda setting. The factors identified for the closure of window includes proper identification of the problem as a result of which, the participant members are likely to close the window. Furthermore, any change in administration, for example the change of participant members also results in closure of window hence blocking the effective generations of ideas. According to Kingdon, the overlapping of the three elements that is called coupling results opening of window (Kennamer, 1994; Ndlovu, n.d.) Figure-2 (Coupling Process) Source: (Ndlovu, n.d.) The coupling process involves identification of the stated problems and developing the solutions according to the issues that are being identified. The development of solution is followed by the political changes and finally implementation of the same. It has been argued that each individual is likely to affect decision agenda. Despite the fact, open window enables the participant members to put forward their problem expecting the policy makers to identify appropriate solution with respect to the issue this process is hardly followed within the system for meeting the needs of agenda setting. In addition, expected solutions to a particular agenda settings could be generated through the open window process in a more convenient manner by the participant members as well (Knill & Tosun, 2012; Young & et. al., 2010). Conclusion From the above discussion, it is clear that agenda setting results interaction between different participant members involved in policy making that in turn is likely to raise political issues. The paper evaluates the Kingdon multiple streams approach for analysing agenda setting. According to the multiple streams approach the issues involved in agenda setting is determined by the participants involved within government like administrators, elected members and outside participant that is public, media or interest groups. The Kingdon model of agenda setting includes three streams that are problem, policy and politics. The streams are independent of each other but its overlapping gives more importance to the specific issue. The issues involved in agenda have been classified into two types that majorly involve government and decision agenda according to Kingdon model. The paper analyses the importance of each participant member with respect to agenda setting. The multiple streams approach for analysing agenda setting is developed based on “garbage can model” that identifies an organisation as an organised anarchy, which includes problem, technology and participation. The Kingdon’s concept of agenda setting was developed majorly on the basis of the different factors that are addressed in garbage model. The concept of multiple streams approach was mainly applied in context of the different specified by the Federal Government. The government agenda comprises of public issues, which is examined by the policy makers to bring it to the attention of government officials. The identification of public issues is likely to develop competition or controversies among the participant members because of the difference in opinion or the power and authority of the administrative and other official members. The policies under agenda setting are also influenced by the involvement of the different political parties that are operating within state and federal government. In addition, the involvement of mass communication in agenda setting is also influenced by the power of political parties. Media has the tendency to cover the public opinion, but the involvement of politics affects the recognition of problem as well as policy formulation. A proper agenda setting requires the movement of the crucial issue to the governing authority of nation drawing appropriate solution for the same. According to the Kingdon’s concept, the potential issues can be identified by the use of feedback system. For this purpose government organizations and private agencies plays a crucial role in identifying as well as moving the issue to government for appropriate solution. References Assendelft, L. A. V., 1997. Governors, Agenda Setting, and Divided Government. University Press of America. Bache, I., 2012. Measuring Quality Of Life For Public Policy: An Idea Whose Time Has Come? Agenda-Setting Dynamics in The European Union. Journal of European Public Policy, Vol.20, No.1, pp. 21 –38. Dickey, J. W., 2009. The Public Administration (P.A.) 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