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Definition

Incrementalism is a method of working by adding to a project using many small (often unplanned), incremental changes instead of a few (extensively planned) large jumps. Wikipedia, for example, illustrates the concept by building an encyclopedia bit by bit, continually adding to it. In a similar vein, according to legend Virgil wrote the Aeneid in an incremental process, averaging three lines per day, and the Georgics even more slowly at an average of one line per day. Logical incrementalism implies that the steps in the process are sensible. Logical Incrementalism focuses on "the Power-Behavioral Approach to planning rather than to the Formal Systems Planning Approach." In public policy, incrementalism refers to the method of change by which many small policy changes are enacted over time in order to create a larger broad based policy change. This was the theoretical policy of rationality developed by Lindblom to be seen as a middle way between the rational actor model and bounded rationality, as both long term goal driven policy rationality and satisficing were not seen as adequate.

History

Incrementalism was developed by Yale professor and political scientist Charles E. Lindblom in the spring of 1959 in his article "The Science of "Muddling Through". Incrementalism, also known as Gradualism was a response to "scientific" decision making in public policy, otherwise known as the Rational-comprehensive model, and also known as the Rational Planning Model. The Rational-comprehensive model asserts that a policy-maker should evaluate all possible alternatives and possible outcomes. Lindblom argued that the rational-comprehensive approach was impossible because the administrator would fail to assess and list all of the possible value choices involved, possible policy alternatives, possible policy impacts, and choose the policy alternative that achieves the optimal desired outcome. He also noted that the Rational comprehensive model is highly inefficient and time consuming.

Pros and Cons

There have been arguments made that the theory of incrementalism should be made part of punctuated equilibrium in government decision-making particularly in applying this theory to public budgeting.

The theory of incrementalism is sometimes explained negatively. People cite that this method causes effective changes and new policy implementation to take too long since it happens often slowly over long periods of time.

Incrementalism is not an effective theory to use when policy is needed quickly.

Usage

Examples

Austin’s metropolitan politics are not the same local level of government that it once was, this is a direct result of the 10-1 district plan. 10-1 is the breakdown of districts representatives that will represent 10 districts that the city has been broken down into. The “1” is representative of “1” mayor and the “10” is representative of the “10” districts. This is also known as Prop 3. Austin, Texas- Code of Ordinances Supplement 98, Article II.-The Council, discusses how the city council is composed of the mayor who is elected by the city at-large; and 10 council members elected from single-member districts. The council members elected from single member districts adequately represent the constituents living within the districts lines. This is because; a single member district election promotes much more participation than an at-large election does. If an area is governed at large some issues might not be taken care of due to being easily overlooked. Changing the district lines is a regional solution that allows for a more diversified pool of candidates who can directly identify with their constituents. By enabling this new pool of candidates these newly mapped districts can easily be represented. Metropolitan areas create options for residents. Areas might be similar in culture and economics but they are separate because of geographic boundaries. In some ways, these boundaries are now a good thing; they are enabling separate and equal representation unlike ever before.

"Pasadena is preparing to change the makeup of its city council in a way that city fathers hope fosters new development, but that some Hispanics allege dilutes their influence. The case could become a test of the Supreme Court ruling last year that struck down most of the federal Voting Rights Act, giving cities in many Southern states new latitude to change election laws affecting minorities without first getting federal approval.“Clearly it was racism,” said Pasadena Councilman Ornaldo Ybarra, one of two Hispanics on Pasadena’s eight-member council, about the town’s planned council changes. The campaign for a new voting system “was meant to scare Anglos, and it was effective,” he said. In Pasadena, which is roughly 60 percent Hispanic, voters approved a referendum that replaces two city council seats representing districts with at-large seats, which Hispanic leaders say will negate their growing population numbers. The new format was proposed by the mayor, who is white, in July 2013, one month after the high court decision.The mayor and supporters insist the new format will bring more participation by all Pasadena residents because they’ll have more to vote for. They note that other cities, including Houston, have at-large council members.Some Hispanics fear that wealthier white candidates will have the upper hand in at-large races that demand costlier citywide campaigns." -By Charles Kuffner

Outline (In Development)

Definition

“A variety of political resources may be used to influence public policy.” -Robert Dahl

Introduction has been edited and is cleared for review. We plan to add quote above in final edit.

History

During the 1950s, the idea that government could be improved with rational and technical analysis (see Game Theory and optimization algorithms) reigned supreme. The Rational-comprehensive model asserts that a policy-maker/ administrator should evaluate all possible alternatives and possible outcomes. According to Encyclopedia-Britannica, the term Incrementalism was developed by the political-scientist and economist Charles E. Lindblom in his article The Science of “Muddling Through” (1959) , as an alternative to the rational-comprehensive approach, and for public officials to build off or change policies of past decisions. Lindblom argued, that the rational-comprehensive approach was impossible because that an administrator would fail to assess and list all of the possible value choices involved, possible policy alternatives, possible policy impacts, and would then choose the policy alternative that achieves the optimal desired outcome. (Hart)

Pros and Cons

There have been arguments made that the theory of incrementalism should be made part of punctuated equilibrium in government decision-making particularly in applying this theory to public budgeting.

The theory of incrementalism is sometimes explained negatively. People cite that this method causes effective changes and new policy implementation to take too long since it happens often slowly over long periods of time.

Incrementalism is not an effective theory to use when policy is needed quickly. For example, in natural disasters such as Hurricane Katrina, incremental steps for first response would not have been an effective response. When policy solutions are needed quickly,

Contrasts to other planning methodologies

Will become a subsection under Pros and Cons header.

Usage

This section is redundant with Pros and Cons and Contrasts to Other Planning Methodologies and will be combined/deleted in final revision.

Examples

(Will become a subsection or bullet point under Usage header.)

Austin’s metropolitan politics are not the same local level of government that it once was, this is a direct result of the 10-1 district plan. 10-1 is the breakdown of districts representatives that will represent 10 districts that the city has been broken down into. The “1” is representative of “1” mayor and the “10” is representative of the “10” districts. This is also known as Prop 3. Austin, Texas- Code of Ordinances Supplement 98, Article II.-The Council, discusses how the city council is composed of the mayor who is elected by the city at-large; and 10 council members elected from single-member districts. The council members elected from single member districts adequately represent the constituents living within the districts lines. This is because; a single member district election promotes much more participation than an at-large election does. If an area is governed at large some issues might not be taken care of due to being easily overlooked. Changing the district lines is a regional solution that allows for a more diversified pool of candidates who can directly identify with their constituents. By enabling this new pool of candidates these newly mapped districts can easily be represented. Metropolitan areas create options for residents. Areas might be similar in culture and economics but they are separate because of geographic boundaries. In some ways, these boundaries are now a good thing; they are enabling separate and equal representation unlike ever before.

"Pasadena is preparing to change the makeup of its city council in a way that city fathers hope fosters new development, but that some Hispanics allege dilutes their influence. The case could become a test of the Supreme Court ruling last year that struck down most of the federal Voting Rights Act, giving cities in many Southern states new latitude to change election laws affecting minorities without first getting federal approval.“Clearly it was racism,” said Pasadena Councilman Ornaldo Ybarra, one of two Hispanics on Pasadena’s eight-member council, about the town’s planned council changes. The campaign for a new voting system “was meant to scare Anglos, and it was effective,” he said. In Pasadena, which is roughly 60 percent Hispanic, voters approved a referendum that replaces two city council seats representing districts with at-large seats, which Hispanic leaders say will negate their growing population numbers. The new format was proposed by the mayor, who is white, in July 2013, one month after the high court decision.The mayor and supporters insist the new format will bring more participation by all Pasadena residents because they’ll have more to vote for. They note that other cities, including Houston, have at-large council members.Some Hispanics fear that wealthier white candidates will have the upper hand in at-large races that demand costlier citywide campaigns." -By Charles Kuffner

Refrences

AustinTexas.gov http://organizetexas.org Project Proposal Section 2

True, J. L. (2000). Avalanches and incrementalism: Making policy and budgets in the united states. American Review of Public Administration, 30(1), 3-18. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/59823147?accountid=5683 (PROS AND CONS SECTION)

http://texaspolitics.utexas.edu/archive/html/bur/features/0303_02/muddling.html (History Section)

Lindblom, E. Charles (1959).The Science of "Muddling Through". Public Administration Review, Vol. 19, 79-88.

Origin*

This subsection will be combined with section titled "History"

Contrasts to other planning methodologies** Section will be deleted since it is redundant with pros & cons section

Definition*

This subsection will be added in place of the to-be deleted subsection titled “Contrasts to other methodologies” Include definition relating to public policy/administration

Examples* Include reference that is coherent to public administration. For example, American Congressional Budgetary changes. Combine section titled “Usage” into examples and create subsection Make

Related Concepts* Subsection will be pushed down to the lower-end of the article. Can include examples not relating to public policy/administration such as engineering, architecture, etc.

Usage*

Will be combined with section named “Examples” Make subsection more relevant to public administration

Pros & Cons

Title may need to be amended to include “and alternatives” Expand on “slippery slope” Expand and elaborate on advantages and disadvantages

SRTHegemon (talk) 18:18, 6 April 2015 (UTC) SRTHegemon (talk) 18:47, 29 April 2015 (UTC)