Learning in the Policy Making Process: A Critical Review from the Environmental Policy of Hong Kong

Abstract

Reviewing three cases of policy issues in Hong Kong, this paper tries to demonstrate how the challenges were dealt for policy formulation and how the concept of policy learning can assist in developing a better understanding of the policy making process which is a vital part of planning. Policy is not simply a single decision implemented in a linear fashion, rather in practice policies generally consist of a broad course of action which happens sequentially being unpredicted. The findings show that in order to bring the stake holders and actors more effectively into problem solving, three conditions must be fulfilled- common goal of stakeholders, acknowledgement of each other’s role, recognition of the ability and power. Then the policy can get a shape and work efficiently. It is recommended that to Hong Kong government needs to balance the needs between stakeholders to prevail an equilibrium condition among economy, environment and people.

Vol. 6, December 2013, pp. 35-47