Concepts of Public Policy

What is Public Policy?

The term public policy has not been amenable to any easy definition because various
scholars using different analytical frameworks have attempted to define the subject matter of
(public) policy. Sharkansky (1978) commenced this analytical consideration of the subjectmatter of (public) policy on the premise that the term public policy is ambiguous. According to
him, policy can refer to a proposal, an on-going programme-the goals of a programme, major
decisions, or refusal to make certain decisions. He further argued that: It would be misleading
to specify one definition of policy (at any particular time) but, the context in which the term is
used should indicate the intended meaning. Based on the foregoing he defined public policies as:
the goals and actions of administrators under taken in an effort to shape the quantity or quality of
public service.(Akindele & Olaopa, 2004).
Another way to classify public policy is that it represents a set of laws, principals and
courses of actions of the government or its representatives-which also regulate allocation of
funds based on a given topic or cultural ideas, attitudes and accepted rules. In other words, public
policy influences how decisions are made within our society. The judicial system and lawmakers
decide whether to pass a law, make something precedent or rule in a specific way based on
policy. Public policies are often shaped and formed by individuals and groups who attempt to
shape policy through education, advocacy, or mobilization of interests. The process typically
involves efforts by competing interest groups to influence policymakers in their favor. Sadly this
practice often produces a shift in the balance of power in favor of those with less. (Blau &
Abramovitz, 2004, p.60). Public Policy is supposed to place personal interests and opinions aside

in order to benefit everyone on a national level. Two examples of public policy includes: Social
Security and Taxation. Both topics are highly controversial due inequalities and disparities
between people in different caste systems. Public policy is interwoven with political power
which is fragmented and dispersed through the separation of powers and the system of checks
and balances. Interest groups can shop around for sympathetic units of government. This is
designed to prevent abuse of power and guarantee individual liberties. Differences in values
produce different public policies, for example, private versus national health care systems;
economic competition versus state-owned enterprises; etc. Differences in values constitute
different political cultures. (California State University Long Beach, 2002).
How Public Organizations Operate?
Public organizations are social systems that deal with the public-maintained by the state.
They are government controlled operations, paid for through public taxation of individuals.
Public organizations handle issues that require public collective action. Public organizations are
comprised of various groups that respond to the ever-changing needs of society. The process of
addressing vital needs of the people is often done by trial and error. The majority of decisions
made are supposed to be based on what is believed to be in the best interest of the public as a
whole. Some methods of this operation includes various debates, voting and protests from
multiple advocates supporting different causes. When the public demands a service-the
government, as elected representatives and officials have a duty to adhere to those wishes by
orchestrating a fair but effective service to help those who need it. ("Definitions of Public
Policy and the Law," n.d.)