nature and rationale of public policy in a democratic regime and the relevance of public

policy analysis

Public policy is the principled guide to action taken by the administrative executive
branches of the state with regard to a class of issues, in a manner consistent with law and
institutional customs. The foundation of public policy is composed of national constitutional
laws and regulations. Further substrates include both judicial interpretations and regulations
which are generally authorized by legislation. Public policy is considered strong when it solves
problems efficiently and effectively, serves justice, supports governmental institutions and
policies, and encourages active citizenship. [1]
Other scholars define public policy as a system of "courses of action, regulatory
measures, laws, and funding priorities concerning a given topic promulgated by a governmental
entity or its representatives."[2] Public policy is commonly embodied in "constitutions,
legislative acts, and judicial decisions. "[3]
Public policy is best described as the broad area of government laws, regulations, court
decisions, and local ordinances. Today, government affects all aspects of our lives. Everyone has
a stake in the public policies enacted by federal, state, and local governments. Many citizens and
groups try to influence public policy through the political process by supporting candidates and
political parties. That's a good way to make a positive impact, but not the best way. Politicians
and political parties come and go. Their positions on issues can change due to circumstances.
They can be voted out of power as easily as they are voted in. The best way to make a lasting
impact on public policy is to change public opinion. When you change the beliefs of the people,
politicians and political parties change with them.
Public policies are governmental decisions, and are actually the result of activities which
the government undertakes in pursuance of certain goals and objectives. Thus the following
points will make the nature of public policy more clear in your minds
1) Public Policies are goal oriented. This means that Public policies are formulated and
implemented in order to attain the objectives which the government has in view for the
betterment of the public
 2) Public policy is the outcome of the government's collective actions. It means that it is
a pattern or course of activity or' the governmental officials and actors in a collective sense than
being termed as their discrete and segregated decisions
3) Public policy is what the government actually decides or chooses to do. It is the
relationship of the government units to the specific field of political environment in a given
administrative system. It can take a variety of forms like law, ordinances, court decisions,
executive orders, decisions etc. What the government chooses to do or not to do about a specific
problem.
4) Public policy may be positive or negative. It is positive in the sense that it depicts the
concern of the government and involves its action to a particular problem on which the policy is
made. Negatively, it involves a decision by the governmental officials regarding not taking any
action on a particular issue
The importance of public policy
The study on Public Policy is important as it avails learners to what Public Policies are,
how they are made, the politics involved in formulating them, the theoretical models for
analyzing policies and the impact they have on the citizens
Generally, public policy plays a vital role in society as its helps to know the intentions
of the government for a particular sector, depart.
Through public policy, the public can measure the achievements made by the
government
Helps to respond to the needs of the society
For scientific understanding of the course and effect relationship