Geoscience Reference
In-Depth Information
Conclusions
The role of analysis in public policy questions has always been a challenging
one. On the one hand, analysis provides a path to assembling evidence for
alternative policy options in a transparent way that helps articulate the
consequences of the alternatives. On the other hand, analysis can also be used
to justify a particular policy option, but the credibility of the analysis for such a
purpose rests even more on the credibility of the assumptions that have to be
made to accept the findings and conclusions of the analysis.
Opponents of a selected policy option will be quick to point out the implausi-
bility of assumptions required to accept the findings of any analysis that is not
consistent with their position. Moreover, any ideological premise will be espe-
cially subject to challenge. For example, the oft cited conclusion that market-
based solutions are more efficient than regulatory measures is certainly easy to
support with ample evidence in economics, as in the case of energy taxes noted
earlier. But if the context of the policy decision being addressed includes
complications of regional differences, political constituencies, regressivity of
impacts, and many other features, then alternatives often have to be considered.
The framework of analysis should be tuned to the policy context and, very
often, if policy issues involve deep ideological differences or complications of
the kind just noted, it can be counterproductive to advance a normative recom-
mendation of a particular course of action and, instead, it may be much more
productive to articulate the consequences of alternative courses of action in as
transparent a manner as possible to enable policy makers to be informed by
analysis rather than be obliged to accept it or reject in order so support a
particular policy position.
Problems in regional science and public policy are especially subject to this
tradeoff. Researchers carrying out analysis to help advance a policy debate
should be aware of the tradeoffs from the outset of their work. Examining the
implications of assumptions made that are relevant to the policy context is
important beyond the reason of good analysis, although perhaps that alone
should be sufficient justification. It is essential for policy makers to understand
not only the implications of alternative policy options but also the limits of the
analysis used to articulate those implications.
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