Content
Discussion
Milio’s
Framework
For example,
the police may be seen as policy keepers in a community where individuals
are advocating for stronger gun regulations. The policy influencers
may consist of pro-gun lobbies, public health advocates and concerned
community residents.
The theory identifies
a number of key determinants influencing policy development. These
include:
 the
social, economic and political context in which a policy is proposed
(social climate);
the identification
of parties with the greatest influence on policy development;
the recognition of
the interests of those wishing to influence policy development
(what they will win or lose, where they are willing to compromise);
and
the capacity
of those wishing to influence policy to achieve their objectives.
Of all the determinants
affecting policy development, the social climate has the
greatest influence. For example, community groups wanting stricter
gun control regulations may find that their power to influence change
increased as a result of increased gun crimes and gun-related homicides
in a community (a changing social climate).
Milio’s
theory presents a clear picture of the groups who have a role
in policy development. At the same time, it highlights the need
to view policy development as a dynamic process that can be influenced
at many stages by those with an interest in the policy, as well
as changes to the social climate in which the policy makers are
operating. How this social climate is shaped will depend on how
the media report, or fail to report, the issue affected by policy.
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