Government policy is the system of laws, regulatory measures, courses of action and funding priorities that are promulgated by a governmental entity. Government policies are formulated by public or private groups who formulate strategy with regard to a political issue, and carried out by government officials who implement policy as concrete programs and actions.
A government’s policy can be reactive, responding to immediate social movements or crises, or proactive, aiming to prevent future issues. Either way, government policies are evaluated through their impact on society, economic stability and overall public satisfaction.
Whether they are aimed at combating crime, reducing prison overcrowding, reforming the visa process, or ensuring access to high-quality education, these policies have a direct impact on people’s lives. They are often referred to as “substance policies” as they are directly focused on tackling societal issues.
A common tool used to analyze the development of a policy is the Policy Cycle model, which consists of three stages: agenda setting (problem identification), decision making and implementation. This model is heuristic, meaning it is not meant to be a precise diagnostic but rather a useful guideline for understanding the processes involved in policy development.
Some post-positivist academics have criticized this model as it does not take into account the complex nature of politics and policymaking, and instead favor more sophisticated models that take into account a wide range of actors involved in the process of developing and enacting policies. These include non-governmental organizations, the media, think tanks and research institutes, intellectuals and civil societies.
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