Public Policy

Meaning

·         Are goal oriented

·         Are outcome of the government’s collective actions

·         It is what the government actually decided or chooses to do

·         Is positive in the sense that it depicts the concern of the government and involves its action to a particular problem on which the policy is made

·         Distinction between policy and goals; policy and decisions

Characteristics of public policy making

·         Is a very complex process

·         Dynamic process

·         Comprises of various componenet

·         Policy structure makes different contributions

·         Decision making

·         Lays down major guidelines

·         Results in action

·         Directed at the future

·         Mainly formulated by governmental organs

·         Aims at achieving what is in the public interest

·         Use of best policy means

·         Involvement of various bodies/agencies

Components of public policy

·         PP is purposive and deliberately formulated. It must have a purpose or a goal

·         Is well thought out and is not a series of discrete decisions

·         PP is what is actually done and not what is intended or desired

·         PP also delineates a time frame in which its goals have to be achieved

·         Follows a defined course of action: formulation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation

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Types of public policy

·         Substantive: concerned with the general welfare and development of the society

·         Regulatory: Concerned with regulation of trade, business, safety measures, public utilities etc

·         Distributive: meant for specific segments of the society

·         Redistributive

·         Capitalisation: financial subsidies given by the Union govt to the state and local govt

Stages in public policy process

·         IGNOU chapter

o   Policy formulation

o   Policy interpretation

o   Policy education

o   Policy implementation

o   Policy monitoring

·         Howlett and Ramesh

o   Agenda setting

o   Policy formulation

o   Decision making

o   Implementation

o   Evaluation