Government policy refers to the decision-making process that shapes government and ensures the proper functioning of society. While policy is intimately intertwined with politics and administration, it is often considered to be a distinct domain due to its more practical nature and its ability to translate political ideas into systems that can be implemented in the real world.
The development of a policy usually occurs in a structured, deliberate manner. This is known as the policy cycle, and it includes four distinct stages: agenda setting (problem identification), formulation (development of policies into proposed laws or actionable regulations), implementation (the process of putting the policy into practice) and evaluation/assessment (where the effects of the policy are assessed and evaluated to determine whether they were effective, if changes are necessary, or if the policy should be terminated).
Education policies address a variety of issues related to student access and quality of education. This includes establishing school standards, funding programs, and implementing policies like teacher training and curriculum. Criminal justice policies focus on the fairness and effectiveness of the justice system by examining issues like crime rates, criminal sentencing guidelines, and reentry and rehabilitation programs. Immigration policies include securing borders while respecting humanitarian principles, reexamining visa processes, and developing accessible pathways to citizenship.
Regulation policies seek to ensure industries operate ethically and safely by implementing laws and ensuring compliance with existing ones. These include conducting inspections and auditing, enforcing minimum wage laws, and overseeing banks. Redistribution policies promote equal resource allocation within society by establishing social safety nets like unemployment benefits and food assistance programs as well as regulating affordable housing and instituting anti-discrimination laws.