Agendas, Alternatives and Public Policies - Summary and Analysis

This article provides a summary and analysis of John W. Kingdon's 'Agendas, Alternatives, and Public Policies'. The paper covers the role of ideas in comparative policies and makes a powerful contribution to the ideational methodology to public policy. The author draws attention to the fact that why the policy issue becomes issues in the first place and how certain policy issues get more attention. The article explores ideas related to the problem, political streams and the policy and addresses crucial issues.

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Agendas, Alternatives and Public Policies
Author's Name
Institutional Affiliation
Introduction

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John W. Kingdon's “Agendas, Alternatives, and Public Policies “(Kingdom, 2002) makes
for an excellent classic reading in policy studies. His paper covers the role of ideas in
comparative policies that have expanded over the last few decades. Kingdon's work makes a
powerful contribution to the ideational methodology to public policy and enhances our
understanding of the further development needed across both domestic and foreign policy
domains.
Summary
Kingdon begins the article by talking about policy windows and how they open in the
policy systems. It is the policy entrepreneurs who play a significant role in keeping those
windows open. Why some of those windows remain open and another closes down depends on
the policy steams. Kingdon cites various reasons behind why the window may shut down. It
could be because the momentum behind ebbs away due to lack of action. The events that opened
the window may dissolve away. Any change in the personnel can keep the window open or close
it. Sometimes the window closes as there is no viable alternative. Savvy politicians mention the
importance of timing. However, it is the perceptions, the estimations, and misestimations that
can keep the window open or close but the real scenario is a lot more complicated. Missing out
any window would mean to wait for the right time that can open it again. Kingdon states two
kinds of windows, the problem windows, and political windows. The government agenda is
made of a list of subjects that get particular attention from the government. However, there is a
smaller list of items that move towards legislative enactment and fall under decision gender. If
the decisions makers find the problem to be pressing, they make efforts to find the alternative
solutions that can be coupled with the general government themes. As there are more solutions
than the windows, so, solutions flock to the windows when it opens. When the participants feel

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that the subject is complex and the problems are too many and the alternatives overwhelming,
they tend to drift to other windows. However, the whole process and the outcomes can be
unpredictable, and it can create a dilemma for the participants. They may set the agenda but have
no control over its process. The subjects place on the decision agenda is fleeting if the solution is
not available, there is no problem, and there is no support from the political front. However, if
there is an alternative, the subject can take off. The author concludes by stating that there are real
explanations for an item to be placed high on the agenda. There is no single factor here but a
combination of different factors that help build the dominance and dynamics of agenda change.
Analysis
Kingdon’s “Agendas, Alternatives, and Public Policies “works as an important educative
tool on the policy processes. His book offers a fresh and interesting perspective on agenda setting
and policy formations. It is interesting to see how the author has based his research on case
studies, press coverage, public opinion surveys, and government documents to examine policy
issues. There are interviews with U.S. federal government employees. What makes his work
special is that he draws attention to the fact that why the policy issue becomes issues in the first
place. He tackles essential questions like how certain policy issues get more attention and how
does the government set agendas and how those ideas for agendas and alternatives get generated.
Kingdon suggests three individual sets of activities in solution articulation activities in the
politics of policymaking. Despite offering a better understanding of how problems and solutions
get matched in policymaking, however, the fact remains that the solutions remain an irregular
observation. Kingdon is not the first or the last to witness the phenomenon of policymaking and
is still not able to explain it fully as stated by Béland & Howlett (2016). Cairney, & Jones (2016)
criticize Kingdon’s work to be built on the “garbage can model” with abstract insights that lose

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the focus on the original focus of study. Although the author has focused on one country and two
policy areas, the concepts he follows are generic and can be applied to any place, time, or policy.
He may not follow the logic of his analysis; he offers a much more robust model of
policymaking.
Conclusion
There is no doubt that “Agendas, Alternatives, and Public Policies “ holds a significant
influence on the study of public policy. Many appreciate Kingdon’s approach to be flexible and n
offer deeper understanding to scholars and students. The article explores ideas related to the
problem, political streams and the policy and addresses crucial issues. Kingdon’s work adds to
the ever-expanding policy literature and contributes to the ideational tactic to public policy.

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References
Béland, D., & Howlett, M. (2016). How Solutions Chase Problems: Instrument Constituencies in
the Policy Process. Governance, 29(3), 393–409.
Cairney, P., & Jones, M. D. (2016). Kingdon’s Multiple Streams Approach: What Is the
Empirical Impact of this Universal Theory? Policy Studies Journal, 44(1), 37–58.
Kingdom, J.W. (2002). Agendas, Alternatives, and Public Policies. Longman Classics in
Political Science, 1(1), 1–280.