Meaning

 Are goal oriented

 Are outcome of the government’s collective actions
 It is what the government actually decided or chooses to do
 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
 Distinction between policy and goals; policy and decisions

Characteristics of public policy making

 Is a very complex process

 Dynamic process
 Comprises of various componenet
 Policy structure makes different contributions
 Decision making
 Lays down major guidelines
 Results in action
 Directed at the future
 Mainly formulated by governmental organs
 Aims at achieving what is in the public interest
 Use of best policy means
 Involvement of various bodies/agencies

Components of public policy

 PP is purposive and deliberately formulated. It must have a purpose or a goal

 Is well thought out and is not a series of discrete decisions
 PP is what is actually done and not what is intended or desired
 PP also delineates a time frame in which its goals have to be achieved
 Follows a defined course of action: formulation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation


Types of public policy

 Substantive: concerned with the general welfare and development of the society
 Regulatory: Concerned with regulation of trade, business, safety measures, public utilities
etc
 Distributive: meant for specific segments of the society
 Redistributive
 Capitalisation: financial subsidies given by the Union govt to the state and local govt

Stages in public policy process

 IGNOU chapter
o Policy formulation
o Policy interpretation
 o Policy education
o Policy implementation
o Policy monitoring
 Howlett and Ramesh
o Agenda setting
o Policy formulation
o Decision making
o Implementation
o Evaluation
