Government policy is the set of rules and regulations that a state, city, or locality establishes to manage community issues such as public safety, education, immigration, crime, and natural resources. In essence, the goal of government policies is to provide a safe, secure environment in which citizens can prosper and businesses thrive.
Policy makers strive to develop solutions that will improve communities by addressing problems such as poverty, crime, environmental degradation and the lack of affordable housing. To do this, they consider a broad range of political, economic, and social factors such as budgets, taxes, and the availability of jobs. They also must determine the best way to utilize limited resources, including money and personnel.
As a result, developing effective policy can be a complex task. Moreover, even the most well-meaning policymakers must weigh competing interests, take into account diverse perspectives, and embrace collaboration to develop practical initiatives that can be implemented effectively.
Creating Policy
The development of policy solutions is an iterative process that begins in the pre-problem stage by identifying and acknowledging a public problem. Media coverage often supports this process by bringing attention to an issue and encouraging citizen engagement in the debate over possible solutions.
In the next phase, policymakers consider costs that may be incurred as a result of enacting new policies. This is a critical step, since solutions to public troubles must be financially feasible as well as environmentally and structurally viable. Finally, they must decide which problems warrant the investment of time and resources for the sake of the public good.