Kicked cans and poison pills: third generation policy advisory system studies and the management of quality political advice

The decision-making process in government is influenced by a complex system of policy advice, which affects both the kinds of advice solicited and how it is received. Previous first and second generation studies of these policy advisory systems (PAS) focused primarily on identifying the structures and dynamics of advisory relationships in different contexts and jurisdictions. However, managing these systems to inform policy (in)action is now a major area of interest. This “3rd generation” of inquiry looks at system quality and how to measure and manage it. This includes how to manage political risk and inform strategies to address political concerns, such as deferring responsibility to future governments (“kicking the can down the road”) or leaving them unfunded mandates (“poison pills”). Third generation studies of policy advice systems need to consider how advice on such strategies is created and transmitted and not focus exclusively upon advice on management issues concerned with program efficacy and efficiency. That is, a high-quality PAS must manage both technical and political risks and deal with calculations of political blame and credit advice just as they have looked at the costs and benefits of alternate policy arrangements in the past.