Policy Paradox and Homelessness

This week we aren't discussing any new theoretical topics, instead we are reviewing some of what we learned from Stone and seeing how you would use Stone's point of view to analyze policy debates. This is a transition into the week after Thanksgiving when we will briefly cover Cost Benefit and Ethical Analysis. Policy analysis is the topic for PAF 471, which will be offered next semester so if you enjoy these topics and want to learn more, I would recommend registering for the course.

In Policy Paradox in Action, Deborah Stone analyzes the history and discourse surrounding Affirmative Action using the framework she presents in this book. She illustrates how you can use the critiques she provides to critically examine policy evidence and argument. She points out where she is using each critique in her analysis. You'll notice that we didn't cover all of the goals, problems, and solutions she discusses. I hope that if you are interested in learning more about what we had to skip that you will at least go back and skim the relevant chapters.

In some ways, this may seem like another substantive chapter about Affirmative Action. While I'm happy that this is an opportunity to learn a little more about the topic, that's not what I want you to take away from this reading. I want you to see that you can combine discussions of goals, problem definition, and policy tools to think critically about public policies, legislation, and implementation. As we'll discuss in two weeks, this does not mean that statistical and cost benefit analysis do not provide valuable insight into our public policy choices. All that I ask (and that I believe Stone asks) is that you approach these analyses skeptically, engage with their methods, and question the possible agenda of those who are conducting them. After thinking critically about them, you can decide for yourself how valuable each analysis is and how close it comes to representing "the truth".

As I mentioned on Twitter, one of the challenges for this week is to read the Housing the Homeless chapter and watch the Street Vets documentary using Stone's critical lens. This chapter was chosen for this week because so many of the issues we are debating in homelessness policy have to do with the questions Stone's book challenges us to think about. Most importantly, the question of numbers and defining who to count as homeless is a major one giving the changing face of "housing insecurity" in the current recession. The chapter also raises the question of using veterans as a synecdoche for the problem of homelessness, given the changing nature of the problem. We have stories about inadvertent (PTSD), accidental (temporary job loss), and mechanical (recessionary effects, lack of mental health and substance abuse treatment) causes. We also have a variety of policy solutions that make very different assumptions about their target populations.  Were you able to read this chapter without being influenced by Stone's critical viewpoint? How do you think the debates presented in the chapter held up to Stone's scrutiny? Did you see other elements associated with the polis in the chapter?