Introduction to Public

Policy Classification
Public policy is the set of actions, goals, and statements adopted by a
government. Understanding the different types of public policy is crucial for
effective policymaking and implementation. This presentation will explore the
key classifications of public policy and their unique characteristics.

Sameer Azwar
Substantive Policy
Definition
Substantive policies directly
impact the lives of citizens
by addressing specific
societal issues and needs.
Examples Characteristics
Education, healthcare, Substantive policies often
environmental protection, require significant
and infrastructure government resources and
development are common have long-term, tangible
examples of substantive impacts on the public.
policies.
Regulatory Policy
1 Definition
Regulatory policies establish rules,
guidelines, and standards to govern the
behavior of individuals, organizations,
and industries.
2 Examples
Environmental regulations, workplace
safety standards, and financial industry
oversight are common regulatory
policies.

3 Characteristics
Regulatory policies often aim to protect the public interest by ensuring safety, fairness, and
compliance with laws.
Distributive Policy
Allocation
Distributive policies allocate public resources, such as funding, services, or benefits,
to specific groups or communities.

Targeting
These policies target specific sectors of society, such as low-income individuals,
small businesses, or rural areas.

Equality
The goal of distributive policies is to promote fairness and equal access to public
resources.
Redistributive Policy
Wealth Redistribution
Redistributive policies aim to
redistribute wealth, income, or
resources from one group to
another, often from the
wealthy to the less fortunate.
Taxation
These policies typically
involve progressive taxation,
where higher-income
individuals pay a larger share
of their income in taxes.
Social Programs
Redistributive policies also
fund social welfare programs,
such as unemployment
benefits, healthcare, and
education subsidies.
Comparison of Policy Types
Policy Type Focus Approach

Substantive Addressing specific societal Direct government

issues intervention and resource
allocation

Regulatory Establishing rules and Oversight and enforcement

standards of compliance

Distributive Equitable allocation of Targeted distribution of

public resources funding, services, or
benefits
Redistributive Wealth and resource Progressive taxation and
redistribution social welfare programs
Factors Influencing Policy Classification
Political Ideology
The governing party's political ideology can
shape the types of policies they prioritize
and implement.
Societal Needs
The pressing issues and needs of the
population can drive the development of
specific types of public policies.
Stakeholder Interests
The influence and demands of various
stakeholders, such as businesses, advocacy
groups, and the public, can affect policy
classification.
Economic Conditions
The state of the economy and available
government resources can shape the focus
and approach of public policies.
Implications of Policy Classification
Policy Design 1
The classification of a policy
influences its design, including the
specific mechanisms, resources, and 2 Implementation
strategies used to achieve its goals. The implementation process, such as
the level of government involvement,
enforcement, and monitoring, varies
Stakeholder Engagement 3 based on the policy type.
Different policy types require varying
levels of stakeholder participation
and collaboration during the
policymaking process.
Conclusion
1 Key Takeaways 2 Ongoing Relevance
Understanding the
classification of public
policies is crucial for
effective policymaking
and implementation.
3 Future
As societal needs and
political priorities
evolve, the
classification of public
policies will continue
to play a vital role in
shaping the
government's agenda.
Considerations
Exploring the interplay
between different
policy types and their
combined impact on
communities will be an
important area of future
research and
discussion.