What is incremental policymaking?

Incremental policymaking looks at existing programs or policies and uses these as a foundation to implement change. Instead of crafting a new program or policy from scratch it seeks to build upon and improve what is already established.

It is thought of as a conservative policymaking approach because policymakers usually accept programs or policies already in place and may be more likely to support improvement of them rather than looking at something brand new and having to judge its legitimacy.