Incrementalism Approach In Policy Making

Incrementalism is an approach in the decision making/policymaking process. It is a process that is considered to be cautious as changes are implemented in small steps, so the risk is lower. In fact, according to Grover Starling (2011), in his book entitled, Managing the Public Sector, this approach is advantageous in that “administrators typically start with an existing body of policies; proponents of incrementalism recommend only minimal departures from the status quo” (p. 216). Some people are not incredibly happy using this method as they feel it slows down processes. This can be a disadvantage when something needs to be done swiftly. Another reason people might not be as interested in it is it is considered to be “overly cautious when conditions call for bold

Lindblom, who was not only a Sterling Processor Emeritus of Political Science and Economics at Yale University, but was one of the early developers and advocates of the theory of incrementalism (Bevir, 2007). He “rejected the…idea of policy making as a process of rational analysis culminating in a value-maximizing decision, arguing instead that policies result from” plural processes that are adapted from interactions from multiple actors “advocating different values” and interests (id.). He further asserted that “decision makers cannot make the simultaneous comparisons required by the rational model” as it limits the comparisons, making those involved select “options that are at least a little better than other possibilities” (Patton, Sawicki, & Clark, 2013, p. 41). Lindblom adopted his ideas from Herbert Simon who was considered to be one of the founding fathers of today’s decision-making and problem-solving domains. Simon developed the realistic model for decision makers to predict future outcomes. He said, “Good or acceptable options, not necessarily the best, are selected because the cost of the search will outweigh the benefits” (p.