TOPIC 1: UNDERSTANDING PUBLIC POLICY
Definition of Public Policy
Public policy refers to what the government chooses to do or not to do in addressing public problems.
• It includes laws, regulations, decisions, and actions.
• It addresses societal issues such as:
o Poverty
o Unemployment
o Health services
o Education
Another meaning:
Public policy is the “authoritative allocation of values” — meaning the government decides:
• Who gets what
• When
• Where
• How
Nature of Public Polic