How to Create ‘Good’ Policy — Summary From Bardach’s Eightfold Path

A Blog Style Summary of Eugene Bardach’s Practical Guide for Policy Analysis: Eightfold Path to More Effective Problem Solving

In a constantly changing world, leaders and policymakers need to be able to react to issues and problems in a way that is effective and brings about long-lasting solutions. Addressing this, Political Scientist Eugene Bardach from the University of California Berkeley provides a system for policymakers to follow when creating new policy solutions. In his Eightfold Path, while Bardach does not provide another way to reach nirvana, he outlines a way for policymakers to liberate themselves from bad policy making.

Before beginning on the path to policy nirvana, one must keep the ‘New York Taxi Test’ in mind when addressing a policy problem. Although someone might be an expert on a certain issue like education, healthcare, or infrastructure, the average person likely will likely not know more than some basics. In the case of the Taxi Test, the test makes you consider that if you were an expert on a policy issue, and you were travelling by taxi to present or share your solution, would you be able to explain it to a curious taxi driver? With this test, it makes you consider whether you can explain a policy solution in the simplest possible terms, or layman’s terms, something which is important in ensuring others will understand you and will help communicate the importance of an issue and your solution. Additionally, using layman’s terms can help when…