ps101 the scrubbers outcome u clean air act of 1977 in effect mandated scrubbers –delegated the...
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PS101
The scrubbers outcome
Clean Air Act of 1977 in effect mandated scrubbers– delegated the decision to EPA which, given the
constraints, had little or no choice Short-term consequences
– dirtier air in the East – cleaner air in the West – higher electricity costs*
Longer-term consequences– scrubber technology improved, but...– overall effectiveness still questioned
» SO2 and particulates removed. With latter also go alkalines. Net effects unclear
Tradable permits regulatory mechanism of choice now, with reservations…objections [distribution]
PS101
Two theories of government decision-making
Preferences(interests)
Policy(any constraints on economic or social activity)
GOVERNMENT
Public policy perspectiveStructured pluralism perspective
later
The scrubbers case suggests that decision-making within the black box is driven at least as much by input-side, constituency-specific distributive concerns as by output-side, nation-as-a-whole efficiency concerns.
PS101
Approximation of public policy perspective
Clean air
Low cost
NSPS
Existing plants
technological constraint
The present (approximately)
Low cost
NSPS
Old plants on average
The future (approximately)
LSC
Scrubbers
Clean air
Expected consequences of new policies
PS101
Progress report
What determines whether interests will become active on a given issue? – interest group analysis
» {Wilson/Lowi “nature of politics”}» The PD / collective action problem (p > c/b)» The interest group spreadsheet
What determines whether and how policy will change?– collective choice analysis within institutions
» voting theory
What determines whether activity will have an impact?– knowledge about political actors’ concerns– strategies for conveying information and other valued
resources