The Determinants of Policy and Administrative Outcomes
政策和行政结果的决定因素

Policy and administrative outcomes are crucial topics in modern governance studies. While institutional structures and background cultures provide essential frameworks, they alone cannot fully explain policy effectiveness. This essay argues that the beliefs and experiences of those involved in policymaking play a critical role in shaping policy decisions and their implementation.
政策和行政成果是现代治理研究的重要课题。虽然制度结构和背景文化提供了重要的框架，但它们本身并不能完全解释政策的有效性。本文认为，参与政策制定者的信念和经验在影响政策决策及其实施方面起着至关重要的作用。

Limitations of Institutional and Cultural Dependence
制度和文化依赖的局限性

Institutions and cultures create the foundation for governance, but over-reliance on them can lead to inefficiencies. Pierson (2000) points out that institutional evolution depends on individual beliefs and experiences, and without their influence, institutions may become rigid and fail to adapt to change. For example, in the United States, the federal system grants autonomy to state governments. However, this decentralization can result in inconsistent policy implementation. The same federal policy may be applied differently in California and Texas due to their distinct economic structures and geographic locations, leading to varied outcomes.
制度和文化为治理奠定了基础，但过度依赖制度和文化可能导致效率低下。Pierson (2000) 指出，制度的演变取决于个人的信仰和经验，如果没有他们的影响，制度可能会变得僵化，无法适应变化。例如，在美国，联邦制度赋予州政府自治权。然而，这种权力下放可能导致政策执行不一致。由于加利福尼亚州和得克萨斯州的经济结构和地理位置不同，同样的联邦政策在这两个州的实施可能会有所不同，从而导致不同的结果。

The Crucial Role of Beliefs and Experiences
信念和经历的关键作用

The beliefs and experiences of policymakers significantly influence both policy formulation and execution. Weber (1904), in The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism, explains how religious beliefs shape economic behavior. He argues that Protestant values such as diligence, thrift, and discipline contributed to the rise of capitalism. Similarly, Lipsky (2010) highlights the role of “street-level bureaucrats” in shaping policy outcomes. He emphasizes that personal beliefs often lead frontline officials to adjust policy implementation, thereby affecting overall effectiveness.
决策者的信仰和经验对政策的制定和执行都有重大影响。韦伯（1904 年）在《新教伦理与资本主义精神》中解释了宗教信仰如何影响经济行为。他认为，勤奋、节俭和纪律等新教价值观促进了资本主义的兴起。同样，Lipsky（2010 年）强调了 "基层官僚 "在影响政策结果方面的作用。他强调，个人信仰往往会引导一线官员调整政策执行，从而影响整体效果。

An international comparison further supports this view. The United Kingdom and Japan, despite both being constitutional monarchies, often achieve different policy outcomes due to variations in cultural traditions and historical experiences. This demonstrates that institutional structures alone cannot determine policy success—individual agency matters.
国际比较进一步支持了这一观点。英国和日本尽管都是君主立宪制国家，但由于文化传统和历史经验的不同，往往会取得不同的政策成果。这表明，单靠制度结构并不能决定政策的成败，个人的作用才是关键。

Case Study: From the U.S. to East Asia
案例研究：从美国到东亚

In the United States, policy implementation depends not only on institutional frameworks but also on the personal perspectives of state-level decision-makers. For instance, a federal environmental policy may be actively enforced in California due to its strong environmental consciousness, whereas Texas, with its reliance on the oil industry, might resist strict regulations.
在美国，政策的执行不仅取决于制度框架，还取决于州一级决策者的个人观点。例如，由于加州具有强烈的环保意识，联邦环境政策可能会在加州得到积极执行，而依赖石油工业的得克萨斯州可能会抵制严格的法规。

Similarly, in East Asia, policy styles tend to be conservative and centralized. However, even within highly centralized governance structures, individual beliefs shape outcomes. China’s Reform and Opening-Up policy, for example, was not merely a structural shift but was also driven by leaders’ belief in globalization and economic modernization.
同样，在东亚，政策风格倾向于保守和中央集权。然而，即使在高度集中的治理结构中，个人的信念也会影响结果。例如，中国的改革开放政策不仅是一种结构性转变，也是由领导人对全球化和经济现代化的信念所驱动的。

Conclusion
结论

Institutional structures and cultural contexts provide the foundation for policymaking, but they are not the sole determinants of policy success. As Kingdon (2011) argues, policy decisions and implementation are deeply influenced by individual beliefs and experiences. Therefore, effective policymaking requires not only a well-designed institutional framework but also recognition of the agency of policymakers and implementers. Understanding this dynamic offers valuable insights into governance worldwide.
制度结构和文化背景为政策制定提供了基础，但它们并不是政策成功的唯一决定因素。正如 Kingdon（2011 年）所言，政策决策和执行深受个人信念和经验的影响。因此，有效的决策不仅需要精心设计的制度框架，还需要承认决策者和执行者的能动性。了解这一动态为全球治理提供了宝贵的见解。

References
参考资料

Weber, M. (1904). The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism. Wilder Publications.
Weber, M. (1904).新教伦理与资本主义精神》。怀尔德出版社。

Weber, M. (1921). Economy and Society: An Outline of Interpretive Sociology. University of California Press.
Weber, M. (1921).Economy and Society：An Outline of Interpretive Sociology.加州大学出版社。

Pierson, P. (2000). “The Limits of Design: Explaining Institutional Origins and Change,” Governance, 13(4), pp. 475–499.
Pierson, P. (2000)."The Limits of Design：Explaining Institutional Origins and Change," Governance, 13(4), pp.

Lipsky, M. (2010). Street-level Bureaucracy: Dilemmas of the Individual in Public Services. Russell Sage Foundation.
Lipsky, M. (2010).Street-level Bureaucracy：Dilemmas of the Individual in Public Services.Russell Sage Foundation.

Kingdon, J.W. & Thurber, J.A. (2011). Agendas, Alternatives, and Public Policies. Longman.
Kingdon, J.W. & Thurber, J.A. (2011).议程、选择和公共政策》。Longman.