Policy Levers with direct impact
Policy Levers positioned in the Direct Impact quadrants are designed to produce outcomes through direct intervention by the government.
In a previous post, we introduced the Policy Design Matrix as a vital tool for categorising and selecting policy options based on their implementation timeline and the implementation mechanism.
We also introduced the concept of Policy Levers, which are tools that policymakers can use to influence outcomes in specific areas; the actionable components of a policy strategy, designed to bring about desired changes or address particular issues.
In this post, we are going to look at the Policy Levers that sit in the two Direct quadrants of the Policy Design Matrix, which focus on delivering results through direct government action.
Delivering direct impact
Policy Levers positioned in the Direct Impact quadrants are designed to produce outcomes through direct intervention by the government.
These levers are essential for implementing immediate and long-term changes that require direct control and enforcement by authorities.
Policymakers can use Direct Impact levers to:
Implement immediate changes - Enforcing laws, and regulations, and deploying resources to address urgent issues.
Ensure long-term solutions - Building infrastructure, reforming systems, and establishing standards for sustainable development.
Maintain control - Directly managing and overseeing the execution of policies to ensure compliance and effectiveness.
Although all Policy Levers in the Direct Impact quadrants focus on direct government action, they can be further subdivided into levers that aim for immediate results and those designed for gradual impact.
The Direct and Immediate Policy Levers
The Immediate and Direct quadrant of the matrix encompasses Policy Levers that allow governments to take swift and decisive action directly.
These levers are vital in situations requiring immediate intervention, such as public health crises, natural disasters, or sudden regulatory changes. By using these levers, policymakers can quickly address urgent needs and enforce compliance effectively:
Legislate
Description: Quickly implement new laws.
Example: Enacting a new law to ban smoking in public places to reduce health risks.
Application: This lever is crucial when immediate legal changes are necessary to protect public health or safety. For instance, a government might pass emergency legislation to ban the sale of harmful substances.
Sanction
Description: Impose penalties or restrictions.
Example: Imposing fines on companies violating environmental regulations.
Application: Sanctions are effective for enforcing compliance and deterring undesirable behaviour quickly. They can be applied to penalise corporations for pollution or to enforce consumer protection laws.
Mobilise
Description: Deploy resources rapidly.
Example: Deploying emergency services to handle a natural disaster.
Application: Mobilisation is essential in disaster response and other urgent situations. It involves rapidly deploying resources and personnel to manage crises and provide immediate relief.
Engage
Description: Directly involve stakeholders.
Example: Conducting immediate public consultations for urgent policy decisions.
Application: Direct engagement with stakeholders is necessary for gathering quick input and building consensus on urgent issues. This can involve town hall meetings, emergency advisory councils, or rapid response surveys.
The Direct and Gradual Policy Levers
The Gradual and Direct quadrant focuses on levers that create long-term changes through direct government interventions.
These levers are essential for implementing sustained reforms, building infrastructure, and ensuring that policies have a lasting impact:
Regulate
Description: Establish rules or standards.
Example: Implementing regulations for emissions standards in the automotive industry.
Application: Regulations are crucial for setting and enforcing standards over time. They ensure consistency and compliance in areas such as environmental protection, health and safety, and industry practices.
Transfer
Description: Transfer ownership or management of services or assets between public and private entities.
Example:
Privatisation: Outsourcing the operation of public transport systems to private companies.
Nationalisation: Bringing privately owned utilities, such as water or energy companies, under public control.
Application: The transfer lever aims to optimise service delivery and resource management by reallocating ownership or control between the public and private sectors. Privatisation seeks to increase efficiency, improve service quality, and reduce public spending by leveraging private sector expertise and investment. Conversely, nationalisation focuses on ensuring public access, safeguarding strategic assets, and maintaining equitable service provision by bringing essential services under government control. This lever enables the government to strategically balance public and private involvement to achieve policy objectives effectively.
Innovate
Description: Develop new solutions and technologies.
Example: Funding research for renewable energy technologies.
Application: Innovation involves investing in research and development to create new solutions. This lever is essential for addressing complex problems with fresh, sustainable approaches, such as supporting the development of renewable energy sources.
Decentralise
Description: Transfer decision-making to local authorities.
Example: Delegating education policy decisions to local governments for tailored solutions.
Application: Decentralisation allows for more responsive and context-specific policy implementation. Empowering local governments to handle education policies can lead to more effective and relevant educational outcomes.
A powerful tool for policy teams
The Direct Impact quadrants of the Policy Design Matrix contain powerful tools for achieving policy outcomes through direct government intervention.
By leveraging these Direct Impact Policy Levers effectively, policymakers can implement immediate solutions and build sustainable, long-term changes that address core public needs.
By understanding and using these Policy Levers, policymakers can create comprehensive strategies that balance immediate needs with long-term goals, ensuring effective and sustainable policy implementation.
To understand how policy levers can be effectively combined into a comprehensive policy portfolio, read our detailed post on Understanding Policy Portfolios. If you would like help developing your Policy Portfolio, or assessing it for risks or missed opportunities, get in touch and we can help.