A government’s policy is a set of laws, guidelines, regulations and actions that aim to address specific issues relating to society. The term is typically used to differentiate between policy and politics (although it is often intertwined with both), and administration (the civil service that takes policy and turns it into systems that can be implemented in the field). Examples of public policies include hospital accreditation, health insurance regulations and affordable housing programs.
Policy making is a complex and time-consuming process. A variety of factors determine which issues require government attention, including the prevailing ideology, the social context and the political structures. It is also important to understand the impact of population trends on policymaking. For example, a baby boom generation reaching retirement age may result in increased policy focus on health care.
The next step is to identify the best way to address the problem. This involves setting goals, evaluating costs and choosing policy instruments. It also includes gaining legitimacy for the policy. This can be done through a combination of executive approval, legislative approval and seeking consent through consultation or referendums.
The final step is implementing the policy. This can be done through direct government action or through contracts with private companies. When the policy is implemented, it must be enforced to ensure that the desired outcomes are achieved. This can be done through levying taxes to encourage a certain behaviour (Make), or by subsidizing alternatives to discourage undesirable behaviours (Subsidize). The underlying message is that, while it is important to consider the broader context of an issue, policymaking is ultimately a political decision-making process.