Top-Down and Bottom-Up Approaches
Various ways are useful in implementing policies. Two of the most common approached to policy implementation include a top-down approach and a bottom-up approach (Janssen et al., 2015).
In the top-down approach, policies are communicated from makers to policy executers. The advantage of the top-down approach is that policies are implemented quickly. The procedure utilizes a linear process in turning policies into practice. The use of the top-down approach only involves two parties, that is, the policymakers and executing entities. This makes the method appropriate in situations where there is a need to save time (Janssen et al., 2015).
On the other hand, the bottom-up approach considers all the actors involved in the implementation of policies. The bottom-up approach considers various policy implementers on the concept that every actor has an essential role in the implementation of an established policy. This approach is more detailed than the top-up approach (Janssen et al., 2015). Due to this reason, the bottom-up approach consumes more time, which is its primary disadvantage.
The top-down approach focuses on policymakers and decision. The approach disregards other actors and aspects of the process for policy implementation (Janssen et al., 2015). The skills possessed by local experts handling the implementation of policies are excluded, making implementation using a top-down approach appear like an administrative process (Janssen et al., 2015). Therefore, the top-down approach is not applicable to the implementation of policies involving multiple actors. This is the main disadvantage of the top-down approach.
On the other hand, the bottom-up approach was developed to handle limitations faced by the top-down approach in the implementation of policies involving several actors in the implementation process. This is the main benefit of utilizing the bottom-up approach to implement policies. Different participants in the process of policy implementation actively contribute to making a decision. As a result, communication between multiple actors in the implementation process improves enhancing team spirit (Torriti et al., 2010). This approach considers target groups and service deliverers since target groups are the principal implementers of policies.