Is the rational-comprehensive model or the incremental model best used to describe policymaking in the United States? Provide examples to support your model choice

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rational_planning_model

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Incrementalism

What do you think?

To determine whether the rational-comprehensive model or the incremental model is best used to describe policymaking in the United States, we need to understand the characteristics and application of each model.

1. Rational-comprehensive model:
The rational-comprehensive model assumes that policymakers have access to complete information, thoroughly analyze all possible alternatives, and select the most optimal choice based on a set of predetermined criteria. This model is often used in cases where there is a need for significant policy change or when policymakers are dealing with new issues.

Example of rational-comprehensive model in the United States: The passage of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) in 2010 represents an example of the rational-comprehensive model. The ACA aimed to overhaul the healthcare system by expanding coverage, regulating insurance practices, and implementing other changes. The policymakers involved in drafting and passing the ACA conducted extensive research, considered various options, and evaluated the potential implications before implementing the comprehensive healthcare reform.

2. Incremental model:
The incremental model, on the other hand, assumes that policymaking is an ongoing and iterative process that occurs gradually over time. Policymakers make small modifications to existing policies based on necessary adjustments or responses to political pressures or societal changes. This model is often used in situations where policy change is challenging or where policymakers seek to maintain stability and avoid radical shifts.

Example of incremental model in the United States: The evolution of environmental policies in the United States demonstrates the incremental model. Over time, policymakers have made incremental changes to environmental regulations and laws to address emerging concerns and incorporate new scientific knowledge. For instance, the Clean Air Act, initially enacted in 1970, has since been amended multiple times to address new pollutants, expand regulations, and incorporate advancements in monitoring and enforcement technologies.

Considering the nature of policymaking in the United States, it can be argued that a combination of both models is used. Although comprehensive policymaking occurs in cases like the passage of the ACA, incremental adjustments are more commonly observed. Policymakers often face constraints, such as political considerations, limited resources, and complexity of issues, which favor an incremental approach over a purely rational-comprehensive one.

Thus, the incremental model is more frequently used to describe policymaking in the United States, as it aligns with the pragmatic and adaptive nature of the American political system.