Public Policy: Concept, Objectives, and Importance

Study Notes

Concept of Public Policy

Public policy is the relationship between a government unit and its environment.
It is a course or pattern of activity, not just a decision.
Public policy is a proposed course of action of a person, group, or government within a given environment to utilize opportunities and overcome obstacles.

Objectives of Public Policy

To promote the welfare of citizens and implement government programs to achieve their goals.
To solve problems that impact society and the general public.
To assess whether policies are meeting their goals or not.
To stabilize markets, promote economic prosperity, and ensure business development and employment.
To achieve desired outcomes that policymakers wish to achieve.
To promote happiness and prosperity in citizens.
To promote social, cultural, political, economic, and scientific development of the nation.

Importance of Public Policy

To make society lead a better life and maintain the delivery of goods and services.
To stimulate and develop the economy.
To increase GDP growth and provide support systems and infrastructure necessary for the economy to perform at maximum output.
To reduce poverty and unemployment and promote sustainable economic development.
To implement political manifesto and reform agendas of political parties.
To enhance prosperity and happiness in citizens.
To manage administrative tasks and maintain law and order.

Nature of Public Policy

Public policy covers the activities of the government made for the betterment of citizens and the country.
Each level of government may have its specific as well as general policies.
Policymaking is closely related to decision-making but is not the same as the latter.
Policies carry certain vision, goals, objectives, strategies, and activities.
Public policies are formulated on the basis of certain constitutional and legal bases.

Public Policy Making

Public policies are crafted by the legislature, executive, and judiciary and are evaluated by policy analysts, experts, media, and political leaders.
The process involves problem identification, agenda setting, policy formulation, policy adoption, policy implementation, and policy evaluation.

Approaches to Public Policy

Political system theory: policy is the output of the political system.
Group theory: interest groups pressure and interact with policymakers on preferences and self-interest.
Elite theory: policy reflects the values and preferences of governing elites.
Rational choice theory: the government should choose policies resulting in maximum gains to society.
Institutional theory: public policy is determined by government institutions.
Incremental model: evaluates public policy as small changes or adjustments in past policies.
Game theory: the study of rational decisions in situations where two or more participants have choices to make and the outcome depends on the choices made by each.

Characteristics of Public Policy Making

Public policy is a process that takes into play multiple components.
Public policy making demands coordination between different individuals and institutions.
A successful public policy is yielded out of the procedures when each of them coordinates and performs well with their duties and responsibilities.
Public policy is a complex dynamic process that changes from time to time.
The primary aim of formulating public policy is to lay guidelines for the public with regard to a certain problem of general concern.

Types of Public Policy

Substantive: policies concerned with the general welfare and development of society.
Regulatory: deals with the regulation of trade, business, safety measures, etc.
Distributive: focuses on specific sectors of society.
Redistributive: concerned with the rearrangement of policies aimed at making socio-economic changes.
Capitalization: the government provides subsidies to different lower levels of government and other business undertakings.

Sources of Public Policy

Constitution
Periodic plans
Political parties' manifestos
Political system
Court orders
International conventions and declarations
Political, economic, and socio-cultural context
Geographical context
Human and technical resources
People's demand
Interest groups
Reform agendas
Foreign policy and diplomatic relations

Qualities of Good Policy

Legitimate
Rational
Politically and socially acceptable
Time, cost, and capacity-based
Effective, economical, and efficient
Technically acceptable
Environment-friendly
Participative
Need and result-based
Equality and equity-based

Description

This quiz covers the concept, objectives, and importance of public policy, including definitions from renowned experts such as Robert Eye Stone, Thomas R.Dye, Richard Rose, and Carl J.Friedrich. Test your understanding of public policy and its role in government and environment.