Policy Analysis and Political Strategy Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Policy Analysis and Political Strategy - Essay Example In part two, the paper will look at potential supporters and opposition of the proposed strategy. Also, it considers the potential resources to be used in implementing the strategies. Part One This part provides analysis to the environment policies using the eightfold path. The eightfold path is a six step problem solving strategy namely; problem definition, assembling evidence, alternatives, criteria, outcomes and trade offs (Vladimir, 65). Problem definition involves identifying the main problem. In this scenario the main problem is how the individuals’ harm to the environment leads to its overall degradation. The problem definition has three subdivisions which include; market failure, externalities, use of deficit and surplus. Market failures are caused by technical properties of a good or a service which are crucial in identifying the cause of the problem. Market failure is marked by hardships in collecting the payment from all beneficiaries of the policy like in the case of a policy on reduced emissions. The second market failure feature is the difficulty in collecting payment from all potential beneficiaries of a good, for example, when the consumers of fresh air are also those who pollute it. The third market failure is the hardship to identify the real qualities of a good, for example, it is hard to know the carbon content emitted by a certain company (Tickner, 101) In addition, to the market failure there are other failures, which help, in defining the problem, these include; government policies, discrimination and low living standards. These failures lead to environmental degradation, for example, low living standards may lead to destruction of forests as individuals look for a source of income from the trees as fuel or as building materials as well as their use of the trees as cheaper fuel options. The government’s failure leads to environmental degradation failing to impose strict laws to protect the environment as well as penalties in the case of environmental degradation. It occurs when the government fails to pass and implement workable policies to protect the environment. Assembling evidence is the second step in the eightfold strategy. It involves gathering all the required information to help in solving problems and formulating policy strategies. In the environment scenario, the information on all major pollutants is required. The major pollutant to the environment is the Ozone. This is a gas found near the ground (troposphere) it is formed when nitrogen oxide and other organic matters mix in the air, nitrogen oxide originates from burning gasoline, fossil fuels and coal. The Ozone near the ground causes a lot of harm in terms of health as it causes disease such as asthma attacks, flu, sore throats or even sudden death. The second major pollutant is the Carbon monoxide; this comes from burning of fossil fuels and can not be seen or smelled it is exhumed by vehicles. It reduces the oxygen in the body; also, it causes dizziness and tiredness and when inhaled in high concentrations is fatal and can cause death. The third pollutant is Nitrogen dioxide; this is reddish-brown gas that results from vehicle emissions and burning of fossil fuels. It results mostly from cars and plants and is also formed when nitrogen reacts with oxygen at extremely high temperatures. It causes coughs to those exposed to it while its