Final answer:
In policy analysis using a critical approach, ethical considerations are emphasized, focusing on the fairness and moral implications of policies rather than just their economic or political aspects.
Step-by-step explanation:
When using the critical analysis approach to policy analysis, we are paying special attention to the ethical considerations of the policies. This approach scrutinizes policies beyond their economic implications, political popularity, or administrative efficiency, aiming to ensure that they are aligned with moral principles and social justice. It involves understanding who benefits from a policy, who bears the costs, and whether the distribution of these benefits and costs is fair and just. Democratic governments, while striving to fulfill the ideal of being 'of the people, by the people, for the people' as stated by President Abraham Lincoln, may face challenges in enacting economically sensible policies due to the influence of voters and political biases. Economists and other social scientists have contributed to analyzing how political institutions affect the allocation of scarce resources, highlighting the importance of informed and objective policy analysis.