Government policy is the course of action that a governing body establishes, creating a starting point for change. Policies can have a significant impact on your daily life, from how much taxes you pay to whether you are allowed to own a firearm. They are also a tool that institutions use to manage relationships with the communities they serve and other organizations they collaborate with, as well as to articulate their vision and mission in practical ways.
Developing policies is a complex process. There are many things that must be taken into consideration to ensure the best outcome for society, including economic conditions, prevailing political values, and public mood.
The first step is identifying the problem, which involves gathering data and conducting research to understand its scope and severity. Policy makers then decide which problems are worthy of addressing. This process is often guided by ideology, as well as social and moral norms, customs, and beliefs that are deemed acceptable, desirable, or necessary.
Once the problem is identified, policy makers set the objectives for the policy and develop a number of solutions. They then compare the cost and effect of each solution to see which one is the most viable. Once a policy is chosen, it must be legitimized. This can be done through a variety of mechanisms, including executive orders, legislation, or seeking consent through consultations and referendums. Finally, the policy must be evaluated and maintained. If the policy fails to meet its goals or has negative impacts, it must be modified or abandoned.