Public Policy and the Role of Government

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The government cannot help but perform some of the crucial economic functions. There are different indicators that can be used to describe the role of the state and its scope and content. The size of the state budget and employment is a function of the scope and role of the state. But such size may be smaller than actual scope and role, since government may undertake many functions indirectly through contracting and other forms of proxy administration and provision. The vital elements of government and the economy are payroll, total budget, organizational

Public Policy and the Role of Government 4

complexity. In order to perform their functions, quantity needs careful attention. It is the reason why they propose to downsize the government bureaucracy. However, such proposal may result to the abolishment of an agency in some developing countries.

It was observed that the richer countries have larger bureaucracies than poorer ones in relation to their populations, their state and local governments, while the poorer countries have comparatively more in their central governments and public enterprises (Rowat 1990: 211-236). “In practice, the issue is not so much the size of government as its quality and effectiveness” (Singh 1989: 16). In reality, quality and quantity are closely intertwined.

Project proposals for massive cutbacks and moratoriums on government employees are needed to reduce unemployment. Rationalization may favor the chief executive to reduce his control and coordination of policies and programs. But it may result to do violence to the important function of distinctive organizational status in giving focus and priority to their assigned policies and programs. The Aquino Administration tried to cut back bureaucracy. Through NGOs the role of government especially those supported by foreign aid has been reduced. Comparisons between NGOs and GOs in terms of which agency is much “better.” Decentralization under the Aquino government was a success, although the enactment of Local Government Code of 1991 is still on process and implementation.

The government may be able to achieve its goals if the next administrators are open-minded about the role of government and its policies and programs. Public policy is affected by changes being proposed in the institutional framework of policymaking. Suggestions have been raised regarding the change on the form of our government.