Charles Lindblom, “The Science of Muddling Through,” Public Administration Review (Spring, 1959)
|
Rational Model |
Incremental Model |
Principles |
v Comprehensive and systematic v Goals/ends should be clearly stated and separated from alternatives v Analysis is neutral and value free v Compare alternatives using quantitative analysis v Relies on cause & effect theory |
v No effort at comprehensiveness—consider policies in relation to current and past practices v Goals, values and alternatives are considered together v Analysis is value-laden—inadequate data v Believe in “succession of limited comparisons” instead of theory |
Steps |
v Policy makers agree on goals and values and goals are clearly stated v Comprehensive listing of all alternative policies v Analyze pros and cons of each alternative using data to determine how well they meet goals v Decision makers select best alternative |
v Establish a simple goal v Identify a few realistic policy alternatives v Analyze alternatives based on past experience and values v Decision-makers select most feasible alternative (good policy = agreement) |
Key source: Barclay
M. Hudson , "Comparison of Current Planning Theories: Counterparts and
Contradictions" (October 1979)
Journal of the American Planning
Association, Volume 45, Number 4 (pp. 387-406)
It may be found in most planning university libraries. A photocopy of the article only is available
from APA's Planners Book Service for $5 (loose leaf)
A review of the elements of five well-known planning theories: synoptic (rational comprehensive), incremental, transactive, advocacy and radical planning.
Major
Criteria/Descriptive Characteristics |
Synoptic |
Incremental |
Transactive |
Advocacy |
Radical |
Public Interest |
O |
O |
O |
X |
X |
Human Dimension |
|
|
X |
|
O |
Feasibility |
X |
X |
|
|
|
Action Potential |
O |
O |
O |
O |
O |
Substantive Theory |
|
O |
O |
|
O |
Self-Reflective |
|
|
O |
O |
O |
CODE:
X =
Major strength or area of concern
O =
Partial or one-sided treatement
Blank
= Characteristic weakness
Last updated: 8/28/04
AJF