1 | P a g e

2 | P a g e

Introduction

Public Policy can be generally defined as a system of laws, regulatory measures, course of action,

and funding priorities concerning a given topic promulgated by a governmental entity or its

representatives

Public policy is the action taken by government to address a particular public issue. Local, state,

federal, and international government organizations all craft and implement public policy to protect

and benefit their populations.

Public policy making can be characterized as a dynamic, complex, and interactive system through

which public problems are identified and countered by creating new public policy or by reforming

existing public policy. Public policy making is a continuous process that has many feedback loops.

Verification and evaluation are essential to the functioning of this system. The public problems that

influence public policy making can be of economic, social, or political nature. Each system is

influenced by different public problems and thus requires different public policy.

In public policy making, numerous individuals and interest groups compete and collaborate to

influence policymakers to act in a particular way. The large set of actors in the public policy process,

such as politicians, civil servants, lobbyists, domain experts, and industry representatives, use a

variety of tactics and tools to advance their aims, including advocating their positions publicly,

attempting to educate supporters and opponents, and mobilizing allies on a particular issue.

However, government officials ultimately choose the public policy in response to the public issue or

problem at hand.

Societal Need

Most policymakers are not well versed in the sciences and engineering.

Engineers and scientists that serve as key advisors to decision makers in both the public and

private sectors, are generally poorly trained in public policy formulation.

Engineers need more than extensive technical skills; they need an enhanced understanding

of environmental issues, the public policy process and its implications for economic, social

and ecological requirements.

3 | P a g e

Contents

Introduction ______________________________________ 2

Defining an Engineer ________________________________ 3

The Scenario_______________________________________ 3

Why politics and public policy need Engineers ___________ 6

The reasons why engineers

are ideally suited for public policy ____________________ 7

Engineering Codes of Ethics and

Moral Obligations in context of public policy making _____ 8

Engineers as true politicians __________________________ 9

Making the Transition _______________________________ 14

Conclusion ________________________________________ 16

Bibliography _______________________________________ 17

4 | P a g e

Defining an Engineer

Starting off with the definition that Wikipedia provides:

An engineer is someone who practices the engineering profession.

Thus Engineers perform services or creative work as consultation, investigation, evaluation, planning, design and design coordination of engineering works and systems, performing engineering surveys and studies, and the review of construction or other design products for the purpose of monitoring compliance with drawings and specifications. Such work or services may be either public or private, in connection with any utilities, structures, buildings, machines, equipment, processes, work systems, projects, and industrial or consumer products; equipment of a control, communications, computer, mechanical, electrical, hydraulic, pneumatic, or thermal nature. And Engineering is defined as:

the application of science to the needs of humanity. This is accomplished through knowledge, mathematics, and practical experience applied to the design of useful objects or processes. Professional practitioners of engineering are called engineers. Engineering is concerned with the design of a solution to a practical problem. A scientist may ask "why?" and proceed to research the answer to the question. By contrast, engineers want to know how to solve a problem, and how to implement that solution. In other words, scientists investigate phenomena, whereas engineers create solutions to problems or improve upon existing solutions. The crucial and unique task of the engineer is to identify, understand, and integrate the constraints on a design in order to produce a successful result. It is usually not enough to build a technically successful product; it must also meet further requirements. Constraints may include available resources, physical or technical limitations, flexibility for future modifications and additions, and other factors, such as requirements for cost, manufacturability, and serviceability. By understanding the constraints, engineers deduce specifications for the limits within which a viable object or system may be produced and operated. These are the very constraints and considerations that are important when considering public policy.

The Scenario

Why is it that: many young Indian minds are aspiring to be successful engineers but are completely

alienated from the political scenario; only a meagre number of engineers have opted for a career

in politics; only a few of the engineering graduates are opting for a career in the bureaucracy?

Engineers have had little to say about the strategies that are driving some of the most important initiatives introduced over the past decade - those aimed at maintaining a liveable world. Instead, to their credit, public policy experts, economists, lawyers and environmental group leaders have led efforts to identify solutions to myriad problems, even though science and technology are at the centre of those solutions. The issues are big and worldwide, and include conserving water, conserving energy used in new buildings and pretty much anything that makes it easier for everyone to grow and prosper while better utilizing resources.

5 | P a g e

Why havent the Engineers who are most able to innovate and design those solutions been part of the movement since the beginning? What are the consequences and, eventually, the cost of developing public policies and designing action strategies for reform without the influence of those who are best able to develop innovative solutions based on technology? Well, to a large extent, Engineers are to be blamed for their lack of influence. Engineers simply haven't stepped up and actively and publicly participated in the movements that are calling attention to the need for reforms in how we build as well as how we conserve and better utilize resources. Engineers have given up the leadership roles in the public forums that advocates for new policies and seem satisfied to play a secondary role and help to carry out others' ideas. While others design the strategy for reform and determine the routes nations will take, engineers seem content to just build the pillars and connect the two banks of a river. The reason why we are emphasising the problem of engineers being second- and third-stage implementers rather than first-stage innovators is that there can be a cost - either in too many rupees being spent on a solution or a solution that cannot deliver on the expectation - when public policy is designed without adequate recognition for the technical requirements necessary for success. Engineers are highly skilled people who invent, design and innovate. They are the people who are leading humanity into an era of space flight and Internet information technology. Who knows what they will do next? However, the reason that Engineers are not known to the public partially lies in the lack of involvement of civil engineers in the public policy process. There is a misconception that Engineers and members of engineering professional engineering organizations cannot hold office or assist in political campaigns. Engineers have simply taken a back seat to politics and have chosen not to get caught up in the perceived corrupt and political process-and thus have viewed public policy as their enemy. However the Greek statesman Pericles had stated, Just because you do not take an interest in politics doesn't mean politics wont take an interest in you. One of the key elements of engineering leadership is the understanding of public policy. Very few Engineers realize that policies prepared by our professional engineering organizations assist legislation and the lawmakers who vote on that legislation. Hardly another few realize that these engineering policies that are prepared by the Engineers behind the scenes are actually used by regulators in determining what happens to our infrastructure worldwide. Two major barriers holding back Engineers in the public policy area are:

The lack of understanding of what their professional engineering organization can and cannot do; and

The uncomfortable feeling of many of the Engineers to stand up and speak out on public policy issues.

In turn, public policy has not been a priority with Engineers, resulting in little funding to tackle the one area that affects all of us as Engineers, as well as the public- the quality of life. The consequence: Engineers hold fewer leadership positions and have a reduced voice with key decision makers on critical engineering issues.

6 | P a g e

Why Politics And Public Policy Need Engineers It has almost been 15 years into the new millennium and the Indian economy has taken giant strides to join the worlds elite. The economy of India is the tenth largest in the world by nominal GDP. Although majority of the countrys population depends on agriculture, the fact remains that it is experiencing a steady decline of its share in the GDP. On the other hand, Information technology is among the fastest growing sectors, having a cumulative growth rate of revenue 33.6% between 1997-98 and 200203 and contributing to 25% of the country's total exports in 200708. Traditionally, the politicians had backgrounds in the fields that were most prominent in the current economic environment. Today when issues surmount in the technically-based economy, one would initially think that the Parliament would be primarily comprised of technically-oriented individuals such as Engineers. However, such is not the case and the majority of decisions on technically based issues which affect the public health safety and welfare, are made by lawyers, and public administrators dominant in the political arena. This gap of required knowledge on which one has to make informed decisions is detrimental to the country. If the decision makers do not have the required expertise or background, then the individuals must seek out answers from others, relying on second-hand input. Legislation based on these sources is inefficient at best and may not be in the best interest of the public. One does not have to look any further than the North-Eastern state of Assam for such an ill-fated decision. Here it is being referred to the Lower Subansiri hydro-electric project undertaken by the National Hydro-Electric Power Corporation (NHPC) in May 2000, without any decision regarding the scientific investigations. After prolonged campaigning, protest marches and rallies against the project by the All Assam Students Union (AASU) and several NGOs a tripartite meet was held involving the Assam Government, NHPC and AASU, after which a scientific expert committee was set up to investigate the 2000 MW project. When the final recommendations of the scientific study came out on 28 June, 2010, they put the public mood in Assam into a panic. The revealing report states, The selected site for the mega dam of the present dimension was not appropriate in such a geologically and seismologically sensitive region. Therefore it is recommended not to construct the mega dam in the present site. On 17 July, 2010 the House Committee of Assam Legislative Assembly, formed after shrill demands by the opposition parties, asked the government of Assam to follow the expert committee recommendations and take necessary action with the centre. One can only blame the non-involvement of Engineers and Scientists at the time of root-level decision-making for the present situation, which has lead to public unrest, not to mention the millions of rupees that has gone down the drain. Ironically, a defiant NHPC intends to continue the construction of the Lower Subansiri Mega Dam. Notwithstanding the direct implications that the issue has on the society and the economy of the country, involving Engineers in political and public policy can have long term incentives in the countrys political system as well. In his article published in December 2010 George R. Comrie, a professional engineer at CMC, stretches out the following points to answer as to why Professional Engineers should be involved in Public Policy. We can help to improve the quality of our government by:

Injecting some engineering discipline particularly the engineering approaches to problem solving and risk assessment and mitigation - into the legislative and public policy processes;

Providing unbiased reviews of, and proposals for, public policy based on sound scientific / technical analysis;

7 | P a g e

Ensuring that that issues and policies for public debate are framed properly based on known facts and sound analysis;

Encouraging a higher standard of conduct toward each other on the part of elected representatives;

Insisting on a standard of honesty and integrity for elected representatives and refusing to re-elect those who breach it.

Politicians struggle with an overwhelming number of decisions and need sound, practical advice. If unavailable, decisions are made too often without it. Moreover, the average member of the public appears to lack confidence in democratic institutions. In public opinion polls, politician does not even make the list of most trusted occupations. A proper way to improve the legal/judicial system is by incorporating in it unbiased individuals with sound technical and scientific know-how.

The Reasons Why Engineers Are Ideally Suited For Public Policy Engineers by both education and personality analyze problems and find solutions in a rational, systematic way. The entire engineering mindset is to define a problem, identify alternatives, select the nest solution, and then implement the most beneficial solution. Engineers are knowledgeable about an array of subjects including business, public health, and technology. They are also people just like the rest of the population. These attributes make Engineers ideally suited for them to advocate feasible solutions to problems faced by Society. If Engineers were legislating these technological solutions, public welfare would be maximized and the negative impact of technology would be minimized. However, these opportunities will be missed if Engineers continue their traditional non-involvement in politics. The Engineer is entrusted with two key attributes that are critical to public policy and politics:

The training of critical thinking on solving problems as well as training as to the very activities required to sustain a quality of life for mankind as we know it today

The moral and ethical obligations that the Engineers vows as part of the Engineers profession to protect the health safety and welfare of the public.

There are scores of examples of engineers successfully filling up big political shoes with perhaps the most famous being the 39th president of the United States of America. After serving the office from 1977 to 1981, James Earl "Jimmy" Carter Jr. received the 2002 Nobel Peace Prize "for his decades of untiring effort to find peaceful solutions to international conflicts, to advance democracy and human rights, and to promote economic and social development". Carter went to the Georgia Institute of Technology and the US Naval Academy. In the navy, he focused on submarines and was chosen for the nuclear submarine program. For a short time, he did graduate work in reactor technology and nuclear physics. During his presidency, Carter created two new cabinet-level departments: the Department of Energy and the Department of Education. He also established a national energy policy that included conservation, price control, and new technology. Quite a testament, one would agree, to engineers prospering in the political scene.

8 | P a g e

Picture: Jimmy Carter

Engineering Codes Of Ethics And Moral Obligations In Context Of Public Policy Making Engineers have many moral and ethical obligations that they sign on to whether it be when they join

a particular professional engineering organization, whether it be when they obtain a

professional engineer license to practice engineering, or whether they sign on via other

memberships and/or affiliations, such as their employer and/or The Order of the Engineer.

These obligations go to the one of the reasons why Engineers are ideally suited to become

involved in public policy and even become politicians: the obligation to protect the public health

safety and welfare and the agreement not to accept any favours or bribes which could

compromise decisions which in turn could affect the public health safety and welfare.

Engineers are expected to exhibit the highest standards of honesty and integrity. Engineering has a

direct and vital impact on the quality of life for all people. Accordingly, the services provided by

engineers require honesty, impartiality, fairness, and equity, and must be dedicated to the

protection of the public health, safety, and welfare. Engineers must perform under a standard of

professional behaviour that requires adherence to the highest principles of ethical conduct.

Engineering values transcend in professional engineering organizations around the world and in all

disciplines of engineering. In the Engineers of Australia Code of Ethics, the following sections

highlight the obligations with respect to the public:

1. In enhancing the welfare, health and safety of the community through engineering

solutions, engineers remain responsive to the imperative of the community security

and social justice. Engineers are pro-active in the quest for achievement.

2. To be the primary and trusted adviser to government, industry and the community in

matters of engineering, innovation and technology.

9 | P a g e

3. To conduct our affairs efficiently, effectively and in the best interests of our members

and the community.

4. To embrace our responsibilities to the profession, employers and the community.

5. Engineers shall hold paramount the safety, health and welfare of the public and shall

strive to comply with the principles of sustainable development in the performance of

their professional duties.

Within the American Institution of Architects (AIA), Code of Ethics, it is noted:

"Members shall neither offer nor make any payment or gift to a public official with the intent of

influencing the official's judgment in connection with an existing or prospective project.

Members serving in a public capacity shall not accept payments or gifts which are intended to

influence their judgment."

Professional Obligations:

Engineers shall at all times strive to serve the public interest.

Engineers are encouraged to participate in civic affairs; career guidance for youths; and work

for the advancement of the safety, health, and well-being of their community.

Engineers shall not complete, sign, or seal plans and/or specifications that are not in

conformity with applicable engineering standards. If the client or employer insists on such

unprofessional conduct, they shall notify the proper authorities and withdraw from further

service on the project.

Engineers are encouraged to extend public knowledge and appreciation of engineering and

its achievements.

Engineers are encouraged to adhere to the principles of sustainable development in order to

protect the environment for future generations.

Engineers in governmental, industrial, or educational employ are entitled to review and

evaluate the work of other engineers when so required by their employment duties.

Engineers As True Politicians Politicians with engineering background have a huge impact not just in terms of how evidence is

used to make policy and legislation, but plays a much broader role in the way politics is done. But

what is it that Engineers as Politicians can do?

Firstly, there is science policy. Anyone involved in research or Engineering will be aware of the

intense bureaucratic and inefficient process that exist, with funding allocated in frequently bizarre

ways whether we consider the limits on student numbers or the convoluted processes for research

grants. Scientists and engineers know these issues first-hand, and so are in a strong position to make

a difference to them.

10 | P a g e

What is also very important is the role that an understanding of science and engineering can bring to

other fields. For example, Addressing climate change, the greatest threat we face, requires a

technical understanding of the problem and the possible solutions, as well as the risks and

uncertainties involved.

Also, Understanding science and indeed statistics also applies in many other areas of policy

appreciating the role of false positives in screening decisions, for example, or in decisions about drug

classification.

Here are examples of Indian Politicians with Engineering Background and the changes theyve

brought to the bureaucratic process:

1. Nitish Kumar

Political Party: Janata Dal

Current Role: Chief Minister of Bihar

Educational Background: (Degree in Electrical Engineering), Bihar College of Engineering (now

National Institute of Technology NIT Patna), Patna

Candidate Location: Bihar

Achievements as Minister of Railways:

During his term as Minister of Railways, he brought widespread reforms such as Internet ticket

booking facility, opened a record number of railway ticket booking counters and introduced the

revolutionary Tatkal scheme for instant booking, thus facilitating the rail journeys .

Achievements as Chief Minister of Bihar:

As Chief Minister, he gained popularity by initiating a series of developmental and constructive

activities including building of long-delayed bridges, re-laying roads that had ceased to exist,

appointing over 1,00,000 school teachers, ensuring that doctors worked in primary health centers,

11 | P a g e

and keeping crime in check. Health schemes were launched to improve village hospitals and the free

medicine distribution system. Loan schemes for farmers were improved by involving national banks.

In addition, he launched the E-Shakti NREGS program, by which rural people can get employment

information by telephone. He is credited with improving infrastructure, and reducing crime, widely

felt to be serious problems in the state. He introduced the electronic version of the Right to

Information (RTI) Act named as Janakari Scheme.

2. Jairam Naresh

Political Party: Indian National Congress

Current Role: Ministry of Rural Development, United Progressive Alliance (UPA) ruling coalition

Educational Background: IIT Bombay, Carnegie Mellon University, Massachusetts

Institute of Technology

Candidate Location: Andhra Pradesh

Achievements:

Jairam Ramesh's greatest achievement is his work at the ground level. He regularly visits the so

called Naxalite-Liberated and govt-neglected areas, where one won't see a trace of administration.

Even without much support from the state government he has introduced innovative centre-

sponsored plans. On the political front, he was one of the proponents of India's economic reforms

and also served on special mission to Jammu and Kashmir from 1993 to 95. He has a bold outlook.

Also, Jairam dares everyone when it comes to his job. As the environment minister he did not let his

party pressurize him. He did not clear several projects which were posing environmental threats.

12 | P a g e

3. Prithviraj Chavan

Political Party: Indian National Congress

Current Role: Chief Minister of Maharashtra

Educational Background: BITS, Pilani, University of California, Berkeley

Candidate Location: Maharashtra

Achievements:

Barely days into his tenure as the Chief Minister Of Maharashtra, he, along with Civil Aviation

minister Praful Patel, met Jairam Ramesh, the Minister for Environment And Forests and successfully

convinced him to give the environmental clearance for the much delayed Navi Mumbai International

Airport. He was instrumental in fostering establishment of Jaitapur Power Project through direct

counselling of natizens. He has also announced reformations in higher and technical education in

Maharashtra. The research at the University level has been promoted by providing enhanced

Scholarships so that people can take up the work for full-time. In the very first year, staunch steps to

curb corruption in cooperative sector was taken by him through RBI by dissolution of Directorate of

Maharashtra State Cooperative Bank. The administrators appointed by state government brought

back the bank into profit through huge debt recovery. He had also put down builder lobby having

background of unfair practices in urban areas especially in Mumbai and Pune. Despite this, he has

been widely criticized by his party fellows, allies and opposition for not taking decisions on

developmental issues by keeping files unsigned ranging from Infra Projects, Toll Issues, Sports

Awards to Agriculture & Industry policy related issues. He took key decision in reforming Tax

structures at local body levels through replacement of Octroi by Local Body Tax (LBT).

13 | P a g e

Other Examples:

1.Ajit Singh

BSc from Lucknow University

B.Tech from IIT Kharagpur

M.S. from Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago

2.Manohar Parrikar

B. Tech in Metallurgy from IIT Bombay

Chief Minister of Goa

3.Sarathbabu Elumalai

An alumnus of Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani and Indian Institute of

Management, Ahmadabad.

14 | P a g e

4. Arvind Kejrival

B. Tech in Mechanical Engineering from IIT Kharagpur

Cleared the UPSC Entrance Exam and joined the Indian Revenue Services.

Making the Transition

Engineering focuses on actions, while politics on compromise and negotiations. Engineers while

having a succinct laid out thought process in arriving at solutions; tend to have a different thought

process than politicians to accomplish their respective goals. The Engineers thought and decision

process strives to choose one alternative by identifying an existing problem. The politicians follow a

similar process, but select the most beneficial alternative with focus on justification and compromise

relative to their constituents desires. The political process places more emphasis on the

stakeholders rather than from an engineering standpoint that may be the optimal solution for the

specific technical problem.

This is where the Engineer clearly holds the advantage. While a non-engineer may make decisions

that may involve compromise, an Engineer can ensure that the welfare of the public is not

compromised while at the same time assuring that the decisions for the government are made to

the best interest of the nation. In addition, not only is government involvement essential to the

Engineers responsibility, it is essential to the survival of the engineering profession as a whole.

Government is vital in upholding the standards of the profession and improving the integrity of the

field. Government has the power and influence to take important projects from the drawing board

to reality.

Engineers need to be aware of the facts of what their professional engineering organizations can do

in the public policy area as well as what you can do as an individual member. While some

professional organizations are not able to endorse specific candidates for office, due to government

tax status, most do and actively participate in public policy and lobbying relative to legislation

regarding engineering issues. However, as an individual, an Engineer can run for office, participate in

15 | P a g e

political campaigns and make contributions to those individuals that an Engineer believes are in the

best interest of our nation and engineering issues.

One of the key activities that Engineers can do is to communicate with their respective lawmakers in

their respective countries, no matter whether the Engineer wishes to personally become active in

the political arena. Professional organizations such as IEEE have developed guidelines to assist

Engineers in how to communicate with their respective lawmaker.

Engineers being involved, either as politicians or aiding politicians with information vital to making

decisions that affect the public health, safety and welfare; engineering education has to revise its

curriculum to highlight the importance of public policy within the engineering profession.

Engineering education has moved to a purely technical viewpoint versus concentrating on the very

elements that are also essential to providing the Engineer the necessary tools required to become

leaders-both in business and in politics. Engineering education needs to include courses that include

discussions on how politics influence the engineering profession. Professors need to integrate

contemporary problems, global issues and world politicians into the technical curriculum. This will

ensure at a basic level that engineering graduates have a basic grasp of public policy issues and that

politics is an acceptable career choice for Engineers. Political involvement will allow Engineers to

directly enhance the public welfare, the environment and the society through their specialized

knowledge and skills.

16 | P a g e

Conclusion Public and the policymakers benefit from an understanding and appreciation for the value of the engineer. Thus, engineers have an obligation to participate in public policy and public awareness. To maximize engineers effectiveness in public policy and public awareness, engineering societies should work together and upgrade their resource through close association. The engineering societies can contribute effectively in shaping public policy and public awareness by providing a forum for team building, sharing information through collection, analyzing, and coming to a consensus on issues. Things will go on without engineering leadership if we let it. However, the results from the current process will most likely not be desirable for Engineers or for the public. Key engineering leadership positions will continue to be filled by other professionals, despite their lack of understanding of the engineering issues. If Engineers turn their backs to the public policy process, Engineers stand to put their own profession in danger. Engineers must take a more active role in the legislative process to ensure that the legislation that is enacted is truly in the interest of protecting the public health safety and welfare.

17 | P a g e

Bibliography

www.wikipedia.com

www.engineeringthefuture.co.uk/vision/policy.aspx

Krantzberg, Dr. Gail. Bridging the Science Policy Discourse.

Galloway, Patricia D. The Engineers Role In Public Policy.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Engineering_and_Public_Policy

AIA's 2004 Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct

http://www.localcolorart.com/search/encyclopedia/Engineering/#Comp

ared_to_other_professions