Root and Proximate Causes

When analyzing public policy, analysts often address policy problems by focusing on either the root causes or the proximate causes of a problem. While focusing on the root causes of a policy problem might require more time and effort, it is sometimes believed that addressing those will yield a stronger and longer-lasting solution. On the other hand, addressing proximate causes, or immediate causes, requires far less time and effort and can quickly ameliorate a pressing problem, but using this approach can also yield only short-term solutions that act only as superficial treatments of the "symptoms." To examine these different approaches, visit GovTrack, a website that displays all of the bills currently in Congress as well as a lot of information about them. Go to the GovTrack website. To look for bills that might interest you, search for them by issue. You can do this by clicking on the issue tab at the top of the page. Once you find a bill of interest, click on it and be sure to note key information, paying special attention to the summary of the bill. You may also want to read the bill in its entirety.

1. What are the actual problems the bill is trying to address? 2. Are the problems root or proximate? Both? Explain. 3. Given the bill and the problems it is trying to address, what do you think is the best approach for these particular issues? Should the government focus on proximate or root causes? If you were a policy analyst, on which approach would you focus?

4. Explain the nature of policy analysis and compare the different types and describe when certain types of analysis are needed.

Furlong and Kraft (2020) Public Policy Politics, Analysis, and Alternatives. Ed 7th. The following resources are related to public policy analysis maybe help: The Longview Institute (2005-2009) was a progressive think tank that sought to articulate a critique of the policy ideas of the George W. Bush Administration and advance an alternative political agenda. The Cultural Policy Center at the University of Chicago is a nationally recognized interdisciplinary research center dedicated to informing policies that affect the arts, humanities, and cultural heritage.