(i) Public policy refers to

purposive action:
it is oriented towards a purpose;
it is goal-driven;
it is in search of achieving a goal(s);
it is a conscious goal-selecting
process that is undertaken by actors
in the decision making system.
A goal is an unrealised
state/condition that the members
of a community or an organization
do not possess but which they
deem desirable.
A public policy is not random
behaviour, spontaneous action nor
an accidental occurrence; it is not
unforecast behaviour. The goal of
policy is often loosely stated; it is
even cloudy in content;
it provides general direction
rather than precise targets for its
implementation. A policy is an
experimentation; a policy is an
intervention.
(ii) Public policies consist of
courses/ patterns of action by gvt
officials
As patterns of action, public policies
are taken over time rather than as
separate discrete decisions. A policy
involves a series of decisions, that is,
deciding that there is a problem;
deciding on the best way of
proceeding; deciding to legislate; etc.
A decision is a choice among
competing alternatives. Rossi
argues that a decision is a choice
among alternative modes of action.
A decision always involves a
choice.
A policy decision (substantive
decision) authorises or gives direction
and content to public policy action
whereas a routine decision
(operational decision) involves day-
to-day application of public policy in
specific/individual cases.
Policies involve the policy
decision itself and the subsequent
routine decisions relating to the
policy’s implementation. Public
policies involve a dynamic process
that involves a policy decision and
a series of operational decisions.
(iii) Policies emerge in response to
policy demands
Demands are claims for action or
inaction on some government
officials or public authorities. Some
demands call for action. In response
to policy demands, public officials
make decisions that give content and
direction to public policy.
Often these decisions are in the form
of statutes, Executive Orders (USA),
decrees (military regimes), judicial
ruling, ministerial statements, etc.
Policy statements are formal
expressions of public policy (refer to
Easton’s systems theory).
gvts do not what they intend to do
or what they say they are going to
do
Policies are action-oriented. Emphasis
on what governments actually do is
encouraged because there is usually a
gap between policy intention and
policy action/implementation. Policy
outputs are the tangible
manifestations of public policy (e.g.
clinics, schools, roads, etc).
NB: Do not confuse policy outputs
(quantitative, tangible) and policy
impact/outcomes (qualitative, intangible).
When you have built clinics or get
immunisation for the apostolic children,
the outcome/impact will be a decrease in
infant mortality rate; and an
improvement in health for infants.
(v) Public policies may either be +ve
or –ve in form
When it is positive, government
explicitly acts on a matter that has
been brought to its attention.
Governments also deliberately decide
not to act on public demands,
preferring a hands-off affair. This is
the negative side of public policy.
Governments may deliberately
decide not to decide (negative
policy decision). Conversely, their
action means positive policy
decision. Refraining from action or
acting on a demand, both
constitute public policy.
(vi) Policy in its +ve form is based
on law and is authoritative
Authoritative here means legally
binding. If there is non-compliance,
there will be sanctions of a negative
character. These sanctions are
normally backed by force. Public
policy has an authoritative, legally
coercive quality that private
organizations or individuals do not
possess.
- End –