Dynamic Equilibrium Of Gradualism

As an important political action, policy-making is one of the valuable fields of political science. Lindblom founded a policy-making pattern of dynamic equilibrium that is incremental, and it brought profound effect. This article focus on the policy view of Lindblom. The policy view is the basic thinking mode and value trend that forming the policy theory, and it embodies on several essential value judgement. Policy thought and policy-making patterns are based on the policy view. The policy view of Lindblom appeared distinct conservative character. His research was based on reality. He emphasized the limitation of human reason and social resources. He viewed the policy-making as a continuous and dynamic process. He paid attention to the political stable. He thought policy-making was the result of the conflict and compromise of the plural subject of policy-making. He insisted that achieving development should be by the interaction and equilibrium.Lindblom considered that human reason was limited and viewed it as the theory foundation of incremental policy-making. He claimed limited analysis and "simplifiration" the complex policy problem. He figured that policy-making should be restricted by reality. He opposed that policy-making depended on theory without measure and insisted successive limited comparisons. In his sights, policy-making was an incremental and dynamic process.Lindblom thought that the process of democratic policy-making was participated by the plural subject. "The intelligence of democracy" implied that achieving equilibrium and forming policy could and must in the dynamic inter-competition and compromise. He considered that the subjects of policy-making included the men of directed policy-making, interest groups, parties and citizens. They have different interest and value demands. They express their desire in the competition and seek consensus in the conflict. In his eyes, solving conflicts only by the political way, namely that "agreement on policy itself. Lindblom claimed that it should establish several rules. Under these rules, people were entitled definite power and the decision was made by interacted process of exercising power and influence.The policy view of Lindblom pays attention to the reality, and he claimed that the practice of policy-making must be directed by an experimental, explored and democratic point. He viewed policy-making as a continuous and dynamic process.These points are valuable. But there are some defects and prejudices that we must analysis and criticize in his policy view.