Government policy is the decisions, enactments and regulations that shape a society. It can take many forms, including laws, subsidies, taxes and spending plans that are geared towards achieving certain objectives like fostering economic expansion or reducing inequality.
Policymakers must consider a multitude of factors when designing policy, such as the availability of resources, the prevailing political values and publics mood, and how the structure of government impacts their ability to act. Moreover, they must be prepared to face resistance, as not every proposed policy will immediately gain acceptance from everyone involved.
Policies can be designed at the portfolio, sector or organisational level. They can also be endorsed at different levels, ranging from Cabinet-endorsement to executive approval or heads of agency approval. The level of endorsement should align with the scope of a particular problem or objective, and how effective a solution is likely to be.
Policymakers work with various stakeholders in a co-creation process to gather insights and consensus around potential solutions. This is often a multifaceted approach that involves consulting with interest groups, lobbyists and diverse constituency groups to better understand their concerns and needs. The process can also involve examining the costs and effects of implementing those solutions. The resulting policy is then implemented and evaluated. A common theory for how this policymaking process works is the policy cycle, which includes agenda setting (problem identification), policy formulation, implementation and evaluation. This model has been influential in how policymakers look at problems and devise solutions.
About the Author
