Power and the Policy Process & Policy Analysis by Leah Kamulaza - University of Zambia, School of Public Health - Public Health Policy_unza

Power and the Policy Process & Policy Analysis Leah Kamulaza University of Zambia, School of Public Health SOUTHERN AFRICAN INSTITUTE FOR COLLABORATIVE RESEARCH AND INNOVATION ORGANISATION (sai-crio) Lecture Overview Agents in Policy Process Power, Agency & Mindsets Stakeholder Mapping Health Policy Frameworks Models of Policy Analysis SECTION 1: WHAT IS POLICY Policy is a deliberate system of principles or course of action adopted or followed by an organization, government, or individual to guide decisions and achieve rational outcomes. Policy is designed to change a given situation and the set of practices within it Continuation Key Characteristics of Policy: Purposeful – Not random; based on identified needs or problems. Authoritative – Created and enforced by legitimate institutions or leaders. Guiding – Directs choices, behaviours, and allocation of resources. Contextual – Influenced by political, economic, and social environments. Continuation Types of Policy: Public Policy: Developed by governments (e.g., health, education, economic policies) Organizational Policy: Internal rules within institutions (e.g., workplace safety policy) Social Policy: Aimed at social welfare and justice (e.g., housing or disability policy) Example: A national health policy may outline the government’s plan to achieve universal health coverage, improve access to services, and reduce disease burden. Agents in Policy Process Who Are the Policy Actors? Politicians, Bureaucrats, NGOs, Donors, Civil Society, Media, Academics International Organizations (e.g., WHO, World Bank) Policy agents/actors are individuals or groups that influence, shape, or implement policy decisions. They act within and outside formal structures of governance. CONTINUATION Key categories of Policy Agents Discussion Discuss other policy agents and their roles Continuation Roles of Policy Agents Agenda Setting: Identify and frame policy issues, influence what gets attention, use research, media, or activism to highlight problems Policy Formulation: Provide expertise, evidence, and values Decision Making: Choose among policy options, may involve political negotiations or consensus building Implementation: Translate policies into programs or regulations, mobilize resources, develop tools, and build capacity Evaluation: Monitor policy effectiveness and impact, generative evidence for improvement or reform Section 2: Power, Agency, and Mindsets Understanding Power in Policy: Agency and Mindsets; Agency: The capacity of individuals/groups to act independently Mindsets: Beliefs, ideologies, narratives that shape perception of problems/solutions Power is a central but often invisible force in the policy process, it shapes who makes decisions, what gets prioritized, and how outcomes are determined. CONTINUATION Dimensions of Power: Visible Power: Decision-making power, government passing laws, approving budgets Hidden Power: Excluding sexual health education from a school curriculum Invisible power: Internalized gender roles affecting women's participation Continuation Power is exercised through: Resources (money, information, staff, tools) Positions (formal authority or political office) Networks and Alliances (coalitions, lobbying) Narratives and Discourse (public opinion) Technical Expertise (control of knowledge and evidence) Section 3: Stakeholder Mapping/Analysis What is Stakeholder Analysis? A process that involves identifying and analysing individuals, groups, or organizations that are affected by, or can affect, a project, policy, or decision. Identifying all parties with an interest in the policy Analysing influence, interest, and position Stakeholder Mapping Techniques: Power-Interest Grid: a stakeholder analysis tool that categorizes stakeholders based on their power (influence) and interest in a project, helping organizations prioritize engagement strategies. Purpose: Helps prioritize stakeholders for communication and involvement. Techniques continuation Venn Diagrams : Stakeholders are represented as circles of different sizes, Size = influence/power Influence Mapping: This focuses on the influence a stakeholder has and the impact the policy has on them. Useful For: Understanding who might block or support implementation. CONTINUATION Example: Mapping Stakeholders in a National Health Insurance Policy High Power, High Interest: Ministry of Finance, Parliament High Power, Low Interest: Private insurers Low Power, High Interest: Patients, health workers Low Power, Low Interest: General public (initially) CONTINUATION Tips for Effective Stakeholder Mapping: Engage stakeholders early Validate maps through consultation Consider power dynamics beyond formal roles Reassess regularly: stakeholder positions can shift SECTION 4: Health Policy Frameworks (HPF) HPF are structured approaches that guide the development, implementation, and evaluation of policies related to health. Purpose of Policy Frameworks: Structure thinking Identify key elements and relationships Analyse policy processes and outcomes Example National Health in All Policies Strategic Framework 2017-2021 ‘the Government of the Republic of Zambia (GRZ) has prioritized health as a key socio-economic investment in the Seventh National Development Plan 2017-2021.’ …