Government policy is the broad area of laws, regulations, and court decisions that influence the way we live. Policy impacts every aspect of our lives and affects everyone in some way, which is why many people try to make a difference by supporting politicians and political parties. But it’s difficult to change government by this means, as political leaders and parties can come and go and their positions can be influenced by circumstances. A better way to make a difference is to influence policy through the policymaking process, which is what this article is about.
Ultimately, policymaking is about finding solutions to problems that we face in society. This includes solving basic problems like providing access to affordable housing or establishing standards for hospitals. It also includes more specialized policies such as teacher training programs or curriculum enhancements. These more specialized policies are called distribution or regulatory, and they help to ensure that people in certain groups in society receive the services that they need.
The most important thing to remember about policymaking is that it requires a long-term commitment to solve complex problems. Even the greatest endeavors, such as Medicare or the Marshall Plan, were a series of statutes passed over the course of decades. This general consensus about the challenges of public policy is why it’s important to recognize that policymaking is more than just politics and administration – it’s a domain in its own right. Policymaking is the conscious, deliberate effort to define policy aims and map them instrumentally.