Analytical Framework for Public Policy

Part I: Introduction to and Conceptual Foundation of Policy Analysis

1. Introduction to Policy Analysis (Xuan Thanh)

a. What is policy analysis?

b. Process of doing policy analysis

c. Thesis guide discussion and clarification

Readings:

* Dunn, Chapter 1: The Process of Policy Analysis

* Weimer and Vining, Chapter 2: What is Policy Analysis?

* FETP, "Thesis Guide"

1. Conceptual Foundations for Policy Problem Analysis: Macroeconomic Perspective (Jonathan Pincus)

a. How economists think about methodology

b. Macroeconomic policy research

c. Development policy research

Readings:

* Nola Reinhardt (2008) "The Conundrum of Low Saving Rates in Latin America," Development Policy Review, 26:6, 727-744.

Deborah Fahy Bryceson, Annabel Bradbury and Trevor Bradbury (2008) "Roads to Poverty Reduction? Exploring Rural Roads' Impact on Mobility in Africa and Asia,"

Development Policy Review, 2008, 26:4, 459-482.

Kevin D Hoover (2004) The Methodology of Empirical Macroeconomics, Cambridge University Press, Chapter 5 "Pragmatism, Realism and the Practice of Macroeconomics."

Nanak Kakwani, Fabio Soares and Hyun H. Son (2006) "Cash Transfers for School-Age Children in African Countries: Simulation of Impacts on Poverty and School Attendance," Development Policy Review, 24:5, 553-569.

3. Conceptual Foundations for Policy Problem Analysis: Development Perspective (Pincus)

a. Field research in development

b. Policy evaluation in development

Readings:

Quy-Toan Do and Lakshmi Iyer (2008), "Land Titling and Rural Transformation in Vietnam," Economic Development and Cultural Change, 56:3, 531-579.

4. Conceptual Foundation for Policy Problem Analysis: Applied Microeconomic Perspective (Tu Anh)

a. Idealized competitive benchmark

b. Rationales for government intervention

c. Limits to government intervention

d. Weighting market vs. government failures

e. Correction of market and government failures

Readings:

* Weimer and Vining, Chapter 4: Efficiency and the Idealized Competitive Model

* Weimer and Vining, Chapter 8: Limits to Public Intervention: Government Failures

* Weimer and Vining, Chapter 10: Correcting Market and Government Failures.

5. Conceptual Foundation for Policy Problem Analysis: Finance and Project Appraisal Perspective (Que Giang and Xuan Thanh)

a. Corporate finance

b. Development finance

c. Benefit and cost analysis of public investment

Readings:

* The World Bank, Economic Analysis of Investment Operations, Chapter 1.

John Campbell, Andrew Lo, and Craig MacKinlay, The Econometrics of Financial Markets, Chapter 1.

Huynh The Du and Jay Rosengard, "Funding Economic Development: A Comparative Study of Financial Sector Reform in Vietnam and China", UNDP Policy Dialogue Paper, forthcoming.

6. Conceptual Foundation for Policy Problem Analysis: Law and Public Governance Perspective (Duy Nghia)

a. The role of law in economic development

b. The role of law in public policy

c. Challenges in establishing accountibility

d. Social participation in public governance

Readings:

* WB, Regconizing and Reducing Corruption Risks in Land Management in Vietnam, National Political Publishing House (2011) – available in FETP Library

Part II. Doing Policy Analysis

7. Defining the Public Policy Problem (Xuan Thanh)

a. Identifying public policy problem

b. Structuring public policy problem

c. Looking ahead: Designing a strategy to address the policy problem

Readings:

* Dunn, Chapter 3: "Structuring Policy Problems"

Bardach, Part 1: "The Eightfold Path"

8. Approaches to and Models in Policy Analysis (Xuan Thanh)

a. Methodology of and approaches to policy analysis

i Qualitative approach

ii. Quantitative approach

iii. Mixed approach

Readings:

* Creswell, Chapter 1: "A Framework for Design"

* Creswell, Chapter 9: "Quantitative Methods"

* Creswell, Chapter 10: "Qualitative Procedures"

* Creswell, Chapter 11: "Mixed Method Procedures"

Berg, Chapter 2: "Designing Qualitative Research"

b. The Role of Models in Policy Analysis

i. Types of models

ii. Deciding the "right" model for a given policy analysis exercise

iii. The pros and cons of models

Readings:

* Stokey and Zeckhauser, Chapter 2: "Models: A General Discussion"

Stokey and Zeckhauser, Chapter 3: "The Model of Choice"

* Creswell, Chapter 7: "The Use of Theory"

9. Gathering Information and Analyzing Public Policy Problem (Xuan Thanh)

a. Gathering information

i. Secondary source of data/information

ii. Primary source of data/information

b. Analyzing Public Policy Problem

i. Formulating policy options

ii. Evaluating policy options

iii. Making policy recommendations

Readings:

* Weimer and Vining, Chapter 13: Gathering Information for Policy Analysis

* Kraft and Furlong, Chapter 5: "Public Problems and Policy Alternatives"

* Kraft and Furlong, Chapter 6: "Assessing Policy Alternatives"

10. Policy Problem Analysis: Trade and Foreign Direct Investment Perspective (Cong Khai)

i. Trade policy research

ii. Foreign Direct Investment research

Readings:

* Upgrading of the Vietnamese Textile and Garment Industry in the Global Apparel Value Chain (Dang Thi Tuyet Nhung, FETP Thesis, 2011)

Part III. Writing and Presenting Policy Analysis Paper

11. Writing and Presenting Policy Analysis Paper (Duy Nghia)

a. Writing Policy Analysis Paper

i. Organizing your policy analysis paper

ii. Choosing your writing style

iii. Writing a first draft

iv. Writing the executive summary

v. Writing the final draft

vi. Revising, editing, and formatting

b. Presenting Policy Analysis Paper

i. General guideline for thesis presentation

ii. Preparing for thesis presentation

iii. Preparing and answering the questions during presentation

Readings:

* Harvard Kennedy School, The Policy Analysis Exercise: The Writing Guide.

* Dunn, Chapter 9: "Communicating Policy Analysis".

12. Ethical Considerations in Doing Policy Analysis (Duy Nghia)

a. Analytical integrity

b. Respect for persons, beneficence, and justice

c. Value and interest conflicts: Voice, exit, and loyalty

Readings:

* Weimer and Vining, Chapter 3: "Toward Professional Ethics"

Hoyle, Harris, and Judd, Chapter 3: "Ethical Principles".