Politics of Policymaking: Developing Cou

Open to First-Year MPA Only. This course is an introduction to the politics of policymaking in developing countries. Public policymaking- the process by which political actors make decisions on a range of policy issues – affects nearly every aspect of our daily lives, including our access to safe air, water, food, education, and healthcare. This class examines how decision-makers in developing countries choose appropriate tools and strategies to address the persistent political, social, and economic problems affecting their citizens. The motivations, challenges, resources, and outcomes of public policymaking in developing countries often differ significantly from those in developed countries. In addition, policymakers are also embedded within their own knowledge environments, which determines how they bring systematic evidence and scientific knowledge to bear upon their understanding of social problems and their preferred solutions. This course examines how contextual factors condition processes and outcomes of policymaking in developing countries. Ultimately, public policy professionals need a conceptual foundation in identifying patterns of behavior and outcomes in policymaking alongside hands-on training in tools and analysis methods that facilitate deliberation and design, ultimately, the implementation of policymaking strategies in their specific political environments. This course provides the conceptual foundation and practical tools public policy professionals need to understand and operate in their political environment.