What Are the Three Basic Strategies for Controlling Discretion

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The Answer is The three basic strategies for controlling discretion, particularly in the context of public administration and law enforcement, are as follows:

1. **Rule-based Controls**: This strategy involves the establishment of clear, detailed rules and regulations that limit the amount of discretion an individual can exercise. By having comprehensive guidelines and standard operating procedures, decision-makers are required to follow a prescribed course of action in given situations, which reduces the opportunity for personal judgment or bias. This approach is often used in bureaucratic organizations to ensure consistency and predictability in the application of policies.

2. **Outcome-based Controls**: This strategy focuses on evaluating the outcomes or results of decisions made by individuals with discretionary power. Instead of dictating the process, this approach sets targets, goals, or results that need to be achieved. Performance is then assessed based on whether these objectives are met. This can be seen in management practices where employees are given freedom in how they achieve their goals, but are held accountable for the final results. This strategy can encourage innovation and efficiency but requires effective monitoring and evaluation systems to ensure that the desired outcomes are being achieved without negative side effects.

3. **Process-based Controls**: This strategy emphasizes the importance of the decision-making process itself. It involves oversight mechanisms such as supervisory review, peer review, or public transparency to ensure that decisions are made appropriately. The idea is that a fair and open process will lead to fair and reasonable decisions. This can include requirements for documentation of decisions, reasons for actions taken, and the opportunity for appeal or review by higher authorities or the public. Process-based controls are often used in conjunction with rule-based controls to ensure not only that the correct procedures are followed but also that the procedures themselves are fair and just.

Each of these strategies has its strengths and weaknesses, and they are often used in combination to control discretion effectively. The choice of strategy may depend on the specific context, the goals of the organization, the nature of the discretion being exercised, and the potential risks associated with that discretion.

What Are the Three Basic Strategies for Controlling Discretion

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