B. Public Policy
I found it interesting when Lowi states, "In the long run, all governmental policies may be considered redistributive, because in the long run some people pay in taxes more than they receive in service," (Lowi, 1964, pp. 179). So in essence any objective can be framed within redistributive policy characteristics. Case in point, recently there has been an interest in obesity and preventative measures to help curb this trend. Of particular interest is a recent study and fiscal policy driven case from Charlotte, North Carolina.
This study in North Carolina has provided some insight that helps link obesity and urban sprawl, with very probable outcomes that can help curb weight gain. In the article, Study Links Sprawl, Obesity, by Gayathri Vaidyanathan, in the New York Times, September 9, 2010, "Before this study, it was difficult to say for certain whether the features of the built environment, such as sprawl and miles of roadway, are directly responsible for obesity and related illness such as cardiovascular diseases and diabetes," (Vaidyanathan, 2010). The study proves that, "Their findings supported what had long been suspected -- light-rail transport could lead to more walking by an average of 1.2 miles a day," (Vaidyanathan, 2010). These findings have expanded the idea of what can be considered preventative health care, in way. By providing the resources that people can utilize, and by building an infrastructure tailored to exercising, people can naturally and by other factors lead healthier lives.
So how does fit into public policy? Several policy decisions were made in consideration of these findings. The rail lines in Charlotte were moved to closer distances were access was considerably easier and zoning laws were changed to accommodate the change in planned building to create flexibility and s to this new lifestyle. Vaidyanathan comments, "Since World War II, zoning laws in the nation promoted a separation between commercial, residential and recreational land use in the built environment, leading to more sedentary lifestyles," (Vaidyanathan, 2010). The report also notes that new policy should consider obesity and public health costs to further this change. Another result of the policy changes is to enlighten current investment in infrastructure by the Obama administration, of which the investment should consider similar policy initiatives for health care costs when building these roadways and rails (Vaidyanathan, 2010).
I would tend to categorize this policy issue more as distributive. The reason being that it seems to be a short term measure because it is being made with limited consideration to resources. Although the fiscal side of the policy requires attention to amount of money that can be allocate build within a healthy lifestyle perspective, it seems unbound because building is more impacted by zoning, than what to build or how much of it. Thus when you consider the zoning policy impacts you venture into regulatory policy because zoning tells you where and where you can and cannot build and for what purposes. This needs to be re-examined before any policy decision can be made about building for health related purposes. Which in hindsight seems unconventional because most people, I assume would consider health more important than, zoning laws? I take into account Lowi's statement about distributive policy, "They are policies in which the indulged and the deprived, the loser and the recipient, need never come in direct confrontation," (Lowi, 1964, pp. 179). In this case these individuals who seek this new healthy lifestyle will be indulged, but those who do not care either way will have no conflict because where ever the government builds will be in the best interest of the whole populous, even though consideration has been given to health care elements.
Article link: http://www.nytimes.com/gwire/2010/09/09/09greenwire-study-links-sprawl-obesity-10432.html?scp=6&sq=public%20policy&st=cse
References:
Lowi, Theodore J. (1964). American Business, Public Policy, Case Studies, and PoliticalTheory. In McCool, Daniel C. Public Policy Theories, Models, and Concepts: An Anthology (pp. 111-125). Eaglewood Cliffs New Jersey: Prentice Hall.
Vaidyanathan, Gayathri (2010, september 9). Study Links Sprawl, Obesity. New York Times. Retrieved from:http://www.nytimes.com/gwire/2010/09/09/09greenwire-study-links-sprawl-obesity-10432.html?scp=6&sq=public%20policy&st=cse
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