Policy Making Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Policy Making - Essay Example This essay examines Miller major arguments, and then implements Miller’s perspective on policymaking in the implementation of educational reform throughout the United States. Miller’s perspective on the current state of the country is that it is largely divided by partisan politics. Miller begins by considering that only 2 cents on the dollar, if implemented in the right way, could solve many of the nation’s pressing issues (Miller). The essay goes on the consider that with the Baby Boomer generation gradually inching towards retirement, the nation must proactively confront many of its most pressing challenges or face political stagnation (Miller). As Miller’s argument advances he considers the various levels of federal spending that Republican and Democratic administrations since Ronald Reagan have implemented (Miller). The consideration is an important one as the central crux of Miller’s approach to policy implementation is one that draws from bot h conservative and liberal viewpoints (Miller). While the nation faces a number of pressing challenges, policymakers have failed to make any serious progress in solving this issues because they are operating in a dysfunctional paradigm (Miller). The current paradigm currently is restrictive as policymakers are beholden to special interests groups and entrenched partisan ideologies. While Miller argues that the current political policy paradigm is ineffective, he proposes a number of solutions (Miller). As noted, the most central element of Miller’s argument is the achieving significant political change requires policymakers to transcend the liberal and conservative divide (Miller). The essay indicates that society must advance by first focusing on a number of issues that the vast majority of Americans agree must be solved. The next step is for policymakers to approach the solution of these issues by seeking the most pragmatic method possible. This is contrasted with the curre nt practice of simply aligning oneself with entrenched ideological solutions, which have currently caused the country to be gridlocked. Miller believes that the process of seeking the most pragmatic solution necessitates that policymakers draw from both conservative and liberal perspectives (Miller). Ultimately, this will allow for significant policy change to occur. There are a number of ways that Miller’s approach could be applied to contemporary social change. One of the most pressing issues facing America is educational reform. This issue is particularly apt for Miller’s approach as both conservative and liberal groups recognize that a strong educational system is essential to a functional democracy and economic progress. Still, it appears that progress hasn’t been stagnated because of entrenched ideological beliefs. In these regards, conservative groups favor less federal involvement and more local control, while liberal perspectives embrace a strong federa l government led program. Following Miller’s approach involves a number of inputs. The current system seems to find liberals embracing higher taxation, as a means of achieving a more equitable society. Conversely, conservatives would like to see more individual control over educational options. In either instance, most people can agree that the nation needs stronger public education in order to remain globally competitive. Solving this issue using Miller’s approach would involve borrowing the conservative emphasis on financial efficiency. It seems to a great extent liberal perspectives neglect cost efficiency for an emphasis on equality and innovation. One of the pervasive understandings of improvements in education is that in the long run the country will benefit economically through improved