PL SC 490

Factors Necessitating Policy Change

Reasons for Policy Change

  • Changes in societal dynamics
  • New policies may contradict or invalidate an existing policy.
  • The legality or constitutionality of a policy is challenged.
  • Technological changes alter the feasibility or relevance.
  • New discoveries or revelations alter public support.
  • Economic and political conditions change.
  • Power shifts due to election results.
  • The problem is solved.
  • Implementing agencies may lack the skill to manage the policy.
  • Once implemented, policy defects become apparent.
  • Target groups refuse to comply with or mobilize against the policy.

(Theodoulou and Kofinis, 2004, pp. 201-202)

ìPolicy change and termination are both troublesome endeavors for government. Policies are developed to address certain problems or issues: however, they rarely do so and are often perceived to have failedÖAlthough it is far more common for policy to change than to be terminated (Theodoulou and Kofinis, 2004, p. 209).î