Incrementalism posits conservative tendency in public policy making. Comment ..........15 marker (2011)

[PUB AD- Answer writing]

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[Taylor]

The Lindbloom's disjointed marginal incrementalism model compares policy making as a mere cosmetic exercise. To him a planned and well thought policy is a rarity and policy making process is fraught with adhocism which he regarded as the "Science of muddling through". 

The above proposition may hold some substance in practical life but the truthfulness of the entire idea is doubtful. Dror has criticized the idea for being too complacent in nature. This mindset introduces a sense of laxity in the administration. This laxity becomes a vital reason for failure to introduce radical changes and afresh ideas in the policy conceptualization. 

Further, in prismatic society like India, China etc where Policy paralysis is galore, the incrementalism has only served short term goals. For instance, our taxation policy is a result of episodic changes which has only resulted in shortfalls in our tax revenues. Major reforms like GST, GAAR , Direct tax code which are beneficial for long term are still pending due to incrementalist approach.

Similarly, post positivist policy study too has advocated for other policy models which are able to address short and long term needs.

However, complete departure form Incrementalism is neither possible nor desirable. To mitigate its weaknesses,  Etzioni's Mixed scanning model can be an alternative for serving short term & long term needs both. This model favors incrementalism in  areas like foreign policy etc and radical reforms in areas like health, education, skill development etc. 

Thus countries requires a balanced approach in policy making process which is possible by utilizing the benefits of every bodel and reducing their loopholes.

[McGregor]

Lindbloom's incremental model is based upon the science of muddling through. IT says that policies are made first and justification comes later as the whoole process is inflicted with lack of long term vision, conservatism and lack of risk appetite among the politicians to embark upon the path which is beneficial for society in log run. 

Instead the policy making process is adhoc, episodic, opportunistic and myopic which seeks to appease the populist tendencies for vote maximization and political survival. For e.g. loan waiver, distribution of freebies in Tamil Nadu, debt restructuring of state government, fertilizer subsidy etc. 

In this there is lack of imagination and boldness to go for DE NOVA policy which has deep foresight, insight and oversight to attain long term public goals, For e.g. Taxation reforms in India have been piecemeal in nature which was visible in vodafone case whereby the economic growth of the coutnry has suffered. 

Thus, to overcome this thing Etzioni's mixed scanning model can be deloyed which aims for DENOVA policy in key sectors such as health and education and incremental model in monetary polify, financial policy etc.