Policy is a government’s institutionalized proposals and decisions like laws, enactments, and regulations that are geared to producing social outputs and outcomes. Policymaking is a complex endeavor, shaped by numerous factors such as the political ideologies of leaders, prevailing economic conditions, and the structures and personnel that govern government activities.
The way that policy is made and implemented is unique to each country and its government. In general, policies are created by the legislative branch of the government and then enacted and enforced by the executive branch of the government. They can also be challenged through the judicial branch of the government. Policymakers often seek out public input when crafting their policies. They try to ensure that their policies are informed by all sides of an issue so that they can make informed and balanced decisions.
Substantive policies are designed to address specific, core societal challenges. They can be a range of initiatives, from educational reforms to criminal sentencing guidelines. For example, a policy to enhance access to quality education would focus on developing programs to help teachers develop the skills and credentials they need.
A policy brief should be structured to guide the reader from problem to solution. It should include a summary of the background and context, an analysis/discussion, considerations, and a conclusion/recommendation. The structure will be different depending on the audience – researchers will need more details and evidence while government officials may prefer brevity and clear policy recommendations.