Policy Analysis of Instrument Design: How Policy Design Affects Policy Constituency

Abstract

This research investigates the extent to which the design of different policy instruments directed towards the same goal shape the constituencies of residents that participate in the program, and discusses the implications of these relationships for policy making and policy design. The theoretical focus is on the constituencies of policy takers that respond to differing policy designs. Based on this framing, participation in energy efficiency programs is empirically estimated, including loan, rebate, and audit, in Tallahassee, Florida, at the household level. Examining community characteristics such as racial, economic and demographic characteristics of residents, the study identifies systematic differences in participation across these policy instruments. In conclusion, the article discusses how the characteristics of potential policy takers might align with policy makers’ motivations to shape instrument design.

Keywords:

• energy efficiency
• policy tools
• comparative instrument design
• policy makers’ motivations
• policy taker

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the National Science Foundation [1444745].

Notes on contributors

Cali Curley

Cali Curley is an Assistant Professor atthe Paul H. O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs.Cali’s work is focused on local government policy tool design andchoices, with an emphasis on sustainability. Her current researchtakes a closer look at equity with the goal of developing a betterunderstanding of how we operationalize equity in both policydesign and analysis.

Richard Feiock

Richard C. Feiock is Director of the LocalGovernance Research Laboratory. His books include InstitutionalConstraints and Policy Choice (SUNY Press 2001) MetropolitanGovernance (Georgetown Press 2004), Self-Organizing Federalism(Cambridge Press 2010) and Implementing City Sustainability(Temple Press 2020).

Kewei Xu

Kewei Xu is a current Ph.D student in AskewSchool of Public Administration and Policy. His work focuses onhow technology shapes government decision making and its impacton efficiency and equity. His current work focuses on the role of 311and IoTs in disaster recovery.