Policy Suggestions

Policy suggestions are used to strengthen the economic, social, cultural, political and financial structure of any country by giving valuable and well-researched feedback to the decision maker at every level or to the people who have the power to influence the policymaking and improve the existing one. Policy suggestions help in the improvement of existing policies and the formulation of new hence contributing to the holistic development of the nation. Policy suggestions help to inform the decision-maker about different choices available to them and formulate a well-informed policy based on thorough research and evidence and help them to make the best decision based on this.

Meaning- 

Policy suggestion can be defined as well researched and thorough evaluation of the existing policies and recommending improvement in them or suggesting to formulate a new policy to the person having power and authority to formulate them.

Steps –

The different steps involved in the policy suggestions are as follows-

1 – Clear defined objective –

The first and most important aspect is to clearly define the objective of the well-researched policy suggestions to influence the decision-maker. It should clearly define that the policy suggestion is for the existing policies or for formulating new policies.

2-Determining the targeted audience-

This is the second most important step in policy suggestions. When writing policy suggestions we should keep in mind the targeted audience that is if it is related to national interests we should address them to MLAs and MPs, if we want to influence the government strategies policy suggestions should be written to influence the parliamentary decision., If the policy suggestions are related to the local body we should address them to the local authority and so on.

3-Issue Clearly defined-

The policy suggestions should be elaborately defined through research. It should outline the current situation of the policy, its implications, and why there is a need for change or formulation of a new policy. It is important to specify the loopholes if any based on a thorough evaluation of their effect on the people, state or country and define a well-structured solution.

4- Stating Alternative options if any available-

In policy suggestions, we can specify the alternative solution if any and its pros and cons so that  the policymaker can make a well-informed decision regarding the alternative options available to them.

5 – Taking into consideration the current situation –

The policy suggestions should take into consideration the current economic situation while targeting particular policies. It must be cost-effective and cost neutral as it optimises it’s by minimising cost and optimising benefits. The policymaker likely to welcome the cost-effective measures and policy suggestions

6- Inline with existing strategies or legislations- 

It is recommended to suggest policy suggestions that fit in with existing strategies or legislations because changing government strategies and legislations take a long time and it is a slow and continuous process whereas policy suggested with existing strategies and legislations impact and influence the policymaker and others who influence policy-making instantly.

7- Giving International examples – 

For validating the policy suggestions we can give international examples to strongly influence the policymaker. By including similar policies adopted in other countries and comparing size, structure, demography and others which are required for a particular policy and its pros and cons we can validate our point and influence policymaking.

8- Simple words –

When writing the policy suggestions we should keep in mind the targeted audience and should not use so much technical jargon. We should use simple terms as much as possible and keep it elaborative yet to the point.

9- Specify the Real-life impact-

In the policy suggestions, we can include the real-life impact of a particular policy on the person, state or nation which make the policy suggestions look more realistic and effective to influence the economic, social, cultural, political and financial structure of the nation.

10- Emphases the importance of the given policy suggestions- 

Through Policy suggestions, we try to convince the policymaker how these policy suggestions will positively impact by formulating new policies or altering the existing ones. We should clearly define how these policy suggestions are effective and realistic solutions for the existing policy or for formulating a new one.

Conclusion-

The policy suggestions can have a negative impact if not thoroughly researched and mislead the people concerned with policy formulation. It will waste time and money if it has no or less real-life applicability. The technical jargons and difficult words act as barriers to writing communication if used in policy suggestions. The policy suggestions should be free from biases and clearly define the objective. If not then there will be a problem of multiplicity of the meaning of the suggestions given.