ABSTRACT
In one often quoted metaphor (Cunningham 1963), policy is likened to an elephant, bringing to mind the Indian folk tale. Several blindfolded men are led to an elephant and invited to describe what it is that they are feeling. As each is touching a different part of the animal (fl ank, tail, trunk, leg, tusk, etc.) they argue about the nature of the beast. This analogy seems amusing and true to the experienced policy analyst yet it is singularly unhelpful to the beginner. A much better place to start is with the dictionary defi nition of policy:
This defi nition suggests that ‘policy’ is a wise course of action and that the word is often used to describe the principles underlying actions undertaken in the political arena. Thus, at its most basic level, ‘policy making’ means developing the principles which will determine such a course of action.
