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Factor

Enactment

Implementation

Historical

1) Policies that are enacted may be amended but are very seldom repealed

2) The historical pattern of economic behavior in the U.S. is primarily capitalist, resulting in moderate regulation of businesses. Attempts at greater regulation would be met with resistance (this relates to both historical and economic factors)

Administrative rules are developed after policies are passed. The U.S. has, historically, relied upon a “residual” system of provision of benefits. This means welfare is only extended in circumstances of extreme need. This pattern has contributed to a system of rules for administration of welfare programs that are strict and can be viewed as punitive

Social

If an issue has been the focus of a great deal of media attention, and people have strong feelings about the issue, this will impact the likelihood of a policy designed to address this issue being enacted

If a social service program serves a group of people who experience systematic stigmatization, then implementation of the program may be more difficult. For instance, an effort to establish group homes for persons with disabilities may encounter the “NIMB” phenomenon (not in my backyard)

Cultural

Cultural values that are sometimes expressed in the U.S. include values of individualism and hard work. These values have the potential to mitigate against implementation of policy designed to assist those who are in need

The policy basis for de-segregation of schools was established in 1954 and 1955. However, the actual implementation of the decisions of the Supreme Court, particularly in the South, did not really begin until the last 1960s. The delays were due to many issues, including cultural and social factors

Economic

Economic factors weigh on every policy decision where funding / finances are involved. For instance, a policy proposal to ban the sale of flavored e-cigarettes in order to reduce their appeal to children will be met with opposition by the lobby representing those who manufacture and sell e-cigarettes

Economics impact implementation in significant ways as well. Often, the amount of funding authorized for implementation of a policy is not actually appropriated (that is, less money is made available than was planned). This has happened, for instance, in early childhood special education, resulting in decreased program capacity

Organizational

Organizational factors can occur at a macro level (for instance, U.S. Congress) or a more mezzo level (for instance, social service organizations), as policy is created and implemented in all these contexts. At the level of the U.S. Congress, whether or not a policy will be enacted has much to do with how it might impact the likelihood of a political incumbent (someone who’s already in office) retaining their seat in the Senate or House. Campaign funding has much to do with who is elected, and thus campaign funding has an impact on the composition of the organization that is the U.S. Congress.

Organizational factors also affect implementation of policy at many levels. At the federal level, implementation of policy depends heavily on the administrative rule-making process. Congress grants rulemaking authority to federal agencies. The specific nature of the proposed rules rests heavily upon the specific organizational characteristics of an individual agency promulgating the proposed rules. At the level of a local social service agency, whether or not a policy is implemented as it was written has to do with funding, training of staff, supervision of staff, and the extent to which the staff members support the policy

Environmental

When we talk about environmental factors that impact policy enactment, we really mean the physical environment. For instance, in 1973, oil exporting countries create an oil embargo against the U.S. and other countries for support of Israel. This affected prices and availability. This embargo therefore directly affected creation of a policy designed to promote U.S. energy independence and therefore affected U.S. behavior with regard to oil and gas for years to come

Environmental factors also impact implementation of policies. After Hurricane Maria, the already-fragile power grid in Puerto Rico was devastated. Despite efforts to the contrary, the grid was essentially rebuilt according to its original configuration. A subsequent earthquake disrupted power again, in part due to the vulnerability of long-distance power transmission lines. Efforts to create energy access to all have been affected by these and other environmental considerations

Global

In the midst of the COVID-19 crisis, U.S. federal agencies executed a Presidential order to both terminate funding to and to initiate withdrawal from the World Health Organization. This is in response to allegations that other world leaders are not fairly funding WHO and that the organization is aiding China. These dynamics are global in nature and have led to the creation of policy at the federal level.

During the COVID-19 crisis, consideration was made of employing the Defense Production Act to require US automakers to produce medical ventilators. However, globalization dynamics would have made actual implementation of such an order very difficult. https://hbr.org/2020/04/bringing-manufacturing-back-to-the-u-s-is-easier-said-than-done