Discuss Y. Dror’s Optimal model of public policy.

Dendeavours to provide an optimal method for improving and strengthening decision-making, particularly by adapting a model to suit the circumstances (Ham & Hill, 1984, p. 85). He called this model “a normative-optimum model for policy-making”. Whether he achieves such an outcome is questionable, but he does remind us that optimal policymaking is a desirable goal and one to which most theorists probably strive.

Dror’s model is very comprehensive, providing several stages. Through his normative-optimum model, he seeks to accommodate qualitative rather than merely quantitative aspects of policy. He aims to increase the rational content of decision-making models, but acknowledges that:

 ...Extrarational processes play a significant role in optimal policymaking on complex issues.

                                               Dror (as cited in Smith & May, 1980, pp. 153–154)

While there is much that is rational in the model, care is taken and caveats are made along the lines of “some clarification of values”, “preliminary estimation of pay-offs”, and “explicit arrangements to stimulate creativity” (Smith & May, 1980, p. 154).

The model’s meta-policy-making stage requires the policy-maker to consider the best approach in a given context. For example, it may be more appropriate to take an incremental approach or a rational approach on different occasions. The extra-rational dimensions allow for some intuitive processes, though they should be as informed and rational as possible. Thus, the model presents some similarity to Vickers’ art of judgement model. Finally, post-policy-making incorporates evaluative or feedback dimensions which are not included in most other models.

Dror (1989), as indicated by the title of his model, seeks to provide a prescriptive model aimed at achieving optimal public policy. However, the model has been criticised for its vague variables, its weak, residual categories for non-rational sources of information, and its statements of commitment to rationality and non-rationality without means of achieving them (Smith & May, 1980, p. 154).

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