Public policy

Public Policy

A course of action made in response to a problem requiring attention, made on the 'public' behalf, oriented toward a goal: giving a solution to a problem.

Polity

Institutional structures such as state institutions where politics take place.

Politics

Processes by which decisions are made by formulating and applying policies.

Policies

Outputs of the process being plans, laws, regulations, rules or guidelines.

Defining Public Policy

The sum of government activities having an influence on the lives of citizens.

Regulatory Policies

Specifying conditions and constraints for individual and collective behavior designed to control or influence economic and social behavior to protect public interests.

Distributive Policies

Policies distributing new (state) resources, such as money.

Redistributive Policies

Policies modifying the distribution of existing resources to promote economic equality.

Constituent Policies

Policies creating or modifying the state’s institutions.

Morality Policies

Regulating conflicts among social fundamental values.

Rational Actor Model

A decision-making process based on logical and deliberate choices aimed at maximizing benefits.

Bounded Rationality

The concept that decision-making is limited by the knowledge of the decision-maker, which affects their ability to maximize utility.

Incrementalism

A model of decision-making that involves making gradual changes rather than bold, risky decisions.

Bureaucratic Politics Model

Focuses on the impact of individuals and organizations within government pursuing their own interests.

Belief System Models

Explain how decisions are shaped by people's deep values, ideologies, and belief systems.

Policy Cycle

The process of continuous questioning, reassessing, and modifying public policies.

Agenda Setting

The process of identifying issues that require governmental action.

Policy Formulation

The stage of the policy cycle where solutions and objectives are defined.

Decision Making

The stage in policy development where options are evaluated and chosen.

Policy Implementation

The execution of a policy decision and its impact on society.

Policy Evaluation

The assessment of the intended results and unintended consequences of policies.

Interest Group Politics

Politics characterized by concentrated costs and concentrated benefits among specific groups.

Entrepreneurial Politics

Politics where concentrated costs bear on a small group while diffuse benefits accrue to the public.

Clientalism

The practice of providing benefits to a specific group instead of the general public, often leading to favoritism.

Majoritarian Politics

Politics where diffuse costs and benefits are shared widely across society.

Epistemic Communities

Networks of professionals with expertise on a specific issue that provide informed policy advice.

Non-Institutional Actors

Actors in public policy such as citizens and interest groups that influence decision-making.

Grassroots Mobilization

The movement to bring attention to issues by engaging the general public in activism.

Public Opinion

The aggregate of individual attitudes or beliefs held by the adult population.

Cost-Benefit Analysis

A systematic approach to estimating the strengths and weaknesses of alternatives.

Top-Down Approach

A view of implementation that focuses on executive directives from higher authority.

Bottom-Up Approach

A perspective that emphasizes the role of local actors in shaping policy outcomes.

Policy Outputs

The products or results of the policy-making process.

Political Accountability

The responsibility of government officials to the public for their actions.

Lobbying

The act of interest groups influencing policymakers and legislation.

Programmed Decisions

Decisions that follow established protocols for frequently occurring situations.

Non-Programmed Decisions

Unique decisions that require new solutions and are often political in nature.

Garbage Can Model

A decision-making process characterized by randomness and lack of structure.

Incremental Change

Gradual adjustments made during the policy process as issues develop.

Political Bias

Predispositions affecting decision-making based on ideology rather than objective criteria.

Utilities Maximization

The goal of decision-making to achieve the greatest satisfaction with available resources.

Policy Subsystems

Smaller networks within the policy system made up of distinct actors focused on specific interests.

Clientalist Policies

Policies designed to benefit certain groups at the expense of the general public.

D’Anieri's Models of Influence

Models explaining how media, government, and public opinion interact in setting agendas.

Feedback Mechanism

Processes through which policy outcomes affect future agenda setting.

Actors in Policy

Individuals or groups engaged in the policy-making process, influencing outcomes.

Consensus Building

The process of reaching agreement among diverse stakeholders in policy formulation.

Fiscal Policy

Government decisions on taxation and spending to influence the economy.

Social Policy

Policies aimed at ensuring equitable allocation of resources and services.