Policy Process
History of US Environmental Regulation
Regulation in Theoretical Perspective
Background: Geissinger, LBJ Online Photo Archive, Wikimedia, 1967
Most policies go through a relatively
similar series of steps:
Introducing a new environmental concern
to political discussion
Background: Wikimedia, 1970
Designing policy goals and methods
Background: Harris & Ewing, Library of Congress, Wikimedia, 1927
Getting political support
Formal establishment of policy
Background: EPA, National Archives, Wikimedia, 1974
Monitoring and evaluating implementation and effects
Background: Souza, White House, Wikimedia, 2013
Right back where we started
Background: Underwood and Underwood, Wikimedia, 1906
National Environmental Policy Act (1969)
Clean Air Act (1970)
Clean Water Act (1972)
Endangered Species Act (1973)
Background: Reagan Library, Wikimedia, 1984
Background: Wikimedia, 2006
The big tradeoff:
Mandate that the externality be stopped
versus:
Government information problem
Background: Breugel the Younger, Wikimedia, 1621
Background: Monet, Wikimedia, 2011