Political Science Assignment: Banning Dogs to Save Koalas

This assignment analyzes the policy of potentially banning dogs to save koalas, examining the application of the rational decision-making model to this issue, including problem identification and alternative solutions. It contrasts the Hall and Kingdom models of agenda setting and discusses how ...Read More

Running head: BANNING DOGS FOR SAVING KOALAS
Banning Dogs for Saving Koalas
Name of the student
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BANNING DOGS FOR SAVING KOALAS
Answer 1)
The rational decision making model helps in providing a structured approach in
relation to decision making. Rational decision making model helps in the identification of
problem and the gathering of information that helps in the process of analysis of a situation. It
helps in the process of developing of the options that the evaluation of the alternatives in
relation to an event. On the basis of the rational decision making model, it can be said that the
banning of the dogs can be instrumental in saving the koalas. The problem resides in the fact
that the koalas are attacked by the dogs that is causing a decline in the number of koalas
(Brisbanetimes.com.au. ,2019). The protection of the koalas is imperative in the present age
as can be instrumental in saving their species from becoming extinct. The controlling of the
domestic dogs can be pivotal in saving the koalas so that they do not have to face the threat of
extinction. There are other factors that can help the government in making the decision
pertaining to the banning of the dogs for saving the koalas. Firstly, the government should
consider whether protecting the trees can help in saving the population of the koalas.
Secondly, the government should consider whether education of the public can offer help in
protecting the species (Zoizner, Sheafer & Walgrave, 2017). Thirdly, another thing that
should be considered by the government is whether the using of the GIS technology can help
in mapping the koala habitat that can help in saving them.
Answer 2)
There are differences that lie in between the two models of agenda setting- hall model
and kingdom model. The kingdom model talks about the fact that the poor environmental
sanitation can pave the path for the different kinds of diseases like the diarrheal disease. On
the basis of the kingdom model, it can be said that the dogs in the society being left
uncontrolled can lead to the decline in the number of the koalas. The Hall model on the other
hand talks about the fact that the policy issue arises on policy agenda in the event of an issue

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along with the possible solution being high in relation to the legitimacy and the feasibility.
The demand of the banning of the dogs arises owing to the fact that it can help in preventing
the extinction of the species of koalas on the earth (Smh.com.au., 2019). It wants to avoid the
usage of the centralized health services and talks about the constructing of the health centers
at the lowest grassroot level. The kingdom model can help in explaining the hall model as the
kingdom model talks about the three streams- problem, policies and the politics that can help
in deciding about the feasibility in relation to a policy (Conway, Kenski & Wang, 2015).
Politics will play an important role in deciding whether the intervention would be accepted by
the people. The policies are taken seriously by the government in the event of the window of
the opportunity opening within the three streams. The Kingdom model can help in setting
policy agenda as the identification of an issue can get attention of the officials.
Answer 3)
The two influential groups who helps in setting an agenda are the policy makers and
the media. The policy makers prove to be more influential as compared to the news sources
as they understand the needs of the journalists pertaining to reliable information. The public
discourse is dominated by the events taking place in the world. The policy makers makes the
decisions on the basis of the needs of the people. The policy makers would frame the policies
in a manner that can provide protection to the animals. It can thus help in maintaining the
balance of the environment (Thebark.com., 2019). The policy makers understand rules of the
culture that helps in the process of identification of the issue. The policy makers are involved
in making the government programs on the basis of the needs of the public. The public
administrators helps in the examination of strategic political games that helps in regulating
creation of the policies (Shandong, Xiao & Yuntai, 2017).

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The news that is displayed by the media helps in shaping of the political realities.
Media helps in reflecting on views of the candidate that helps in the determination of issues
of the importance. Steven Lukes has stated that there are three dimensions pertaining to
power- decision-making, agenda setting along with the ideological power. The decision
making power refers to the ability of controlling in the direct manner. Agenda setting talks
about ignoring demands of weak by various kinds of methods like avoidance and the delay.
Ideological power lays stress on power that helps in shaping desire of the individuals. Media
plays a role in the decision-making as they help the people in forming their opinion about
different events. The ideological power is displayed by the policy makers as they can
manipulate the decisions of the other people.
Answer 4)
The stakeholders who can influence the government in the process of decision making
are the political leaders who can benefit with the help of suitable policies. The industrialists
can also benefit from the policies and they have an impact on the process of decision making
of the policies (Aladwani, 2016). The print media can also play an important role in
influencing government with the help of their point of view in relation to an issue. The media
can make the common people aware regarding the importance of safeguarding the lives of the
koalas that can prove to be crucial for the ecosystem. The news that is propagated with the
help of the social media also influences government that proves to be crucial in making the
policies. The government public servants can also carry out discussion with the political
leaders of a country that can aid in the process of forming of policies.
The government can be said to be a reflection of distribution of the power prevalent
within a society. Power plays an important role in making the crucial decisions and the
decisions are taken by the political parties without considering the opinion of the members

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living within the boundaries of society. It can be said from the point of view of the elitists
that people having certain ancestry along with the wealth exerts greater influence in relation
to policy making.

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References
Aladwani, A. M. (2016). Corruption as a source of e-Government projects failure in
developing countries: A theoretical exposition. International Journal of Information
Management, 36(1), 105-112.
Brisbanetimes.com.au. (2019). Dogs could be banned from Queensland suburbs as koalas
face extinction. Retrieved 5 August 2019, from
https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/national/queensland/dogs-could-be-banned-from-
queensland-suburbs-as-koalas-face-extinction-20160706-gpznof.html
Conway, B. A., Kenski, K., & Wang, D. (2015). The rise of Twitter in the political campaign:
Searching for intermedia agenda-setting effects in the presidential primary. Journal of
Computer-Mediated Communication, 20(4), 363-380.
Shandong, N., Xiao, L., & Yuntai, Z. (2017). Policy Documents Quantitative Analysis on the
Evolution of Land Expropriation Institution in China. China Agricultural University
Journal of Social Sciences Edition, (4), 12.
Smh.com.au. (2019). Focus on dogs in fight to save koalas. Retrieved 6 August 2019, from
https://www.smh.com.au/environment/conservation/focus-on-dogs-in-fight-to-save-
koalas-20130309-2fsat.html
Thebark.com. (2019). The Canine Role in Near Extinct Koala Populations. Retrieved 6
August 2019, from https://thebark.com/content/canine-role-near-extinct-koala-
populations
Zoizner, A., Sheafer, T., & Walgrave, S. (2017). How politicians’ attitudes and goals
moderate political agenda setting by the media. The International Journal of
Press/Politics, 22(4), 431-449.

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