Define the two major models of policy making: the bureaucratic politics model and the organizational processes model. What are the strengths and weaknesses of each of these models? Is one model preferable over the other for identifying the foreign policy process? What role does organizational culture play in each model?
What will be an ideal response?
Answers should define the bureaucratic politics model as organizations competing for resources, attention, and other self-interests. According to the bureaucratic politics model, bureaucrats do not act with a common sense of the national interest. Strengths of this model may include autonomous thinking about problems and solutions and the promotion of “healthy” competition. Weaknesses may include competition that does not lead to cohesive decision-making, smaller roles for less visible organizations, and no clearly defined objectives for the organization as a whole. Answers should define the organizational process model as understanding the processes within agencies, including the standard operating procedures (SOPs) that bureaucrats follow. A strength may be that it is a rational method for achieving organizational objectives. A weaknesses may be poor interagency cooperation. Preference for which model depends on what level is being analyzed—the bureaucratic politics model focuses on the interaction between agencies, while the organizational process model looks within the agency. Answers regarding the organizational culture should discuss the inevitable clash of organizations and the reluctance to change the culture.
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