Public Policies, Essay Example

A Public policy is an action plan that the government undertakes to solve a problem in view of improving the quality of life of its population. In the US, public policies are undertaken both at the federal and state’s level. The federal government make federal public policies entailing the decisions to protect American citizens, business and industry, and aid the exceptional groups like the needy and the poor through social programs[1].

Before the formulation of any policy, the problem must first be identified in the American domain. The problem may arise as a concern from the populace and escalate to the attention of the government. For instance, it is evident that the initiation of NAFTA between the USA, Mexico, and Canada has led to depression of American wages, a rise in the trade deficit, weakening of the collective bargaining powers of workers, and loss of jobs in USA. The US government is aware of this alarming fact and must renegotiate the terms of free trade between the parties in order to address the American concerns. The policy put in place in view of this problem is a public policy[2].

Upon identification of a public concern, it is the duty of the American institutions such as executive, the congress, courts, and peculiar interest groups to formulate and adopt the policy. Divergent views arise concerning the effectiveness of the approach in solving the problem at this stage from the assorted stakeholders in the policy creation practice. The congress may have to debate on the proposed policy[3]. This may lead to modification, adoption, or even rejection on the basis of its applicability and effectiveness. If approved and various views of the stakeholders included the congress passes the proposed policy into law.

The implementation of the strategy is executed by a distinctive institution formulated and mandated by the government to do so. For instance, Environmental protection Agency is responsible for implementing congress policies on standards of water quality[4]. The final stage of public policy is evaluation and termination. Evaluation entails economic cost effective analysis of the policy. During this stage, divergent views may be raised against the policy demanding its termination[5]. However, history shows that termination of a public policy is almost impossible once instituted. For instance, the economic effects of NAFTA on American civic lives have been rife in the last 12 years, but termination of the relationship is hard.

References

Cockrel, E.2001. Public policy-making Process in America. Cooperative Extension Service, University of Kentucky Publication: pages:1-4.

Pablo, S, Ernesto, S, and Mariano, T. 2003.Political Institutions, Policymaking Processes and Policy Outcomes: An Intertemporal Transactions Framework. pages 1-52.

Smith, B. L. 2003.Public Policy and Public Participation:Engaging Citizens and Community in the Development of Public Policy: pages:1–96.

Scott, E. R. 2003. The High price of “Free” Trade:NAFTA’s failure has cost the United States jobs across the nation. Economic Policy Institute Journal, pages:2-87.

[1] Pablo, S, Ernesto, S, and Mariano, T. 2003. Political Institutions, Policymaking Processes and Policy Outcomes: An Intertemporal Transactions Framework. pages 1-52.

[2] Smith, B. L. 2003. Public Policy and Public Participation: Engaging Citizens and Community in the Development of Public Policy: pages: 1–96.

[3] Cockrel, E.2001. Public policy-making Process in America. Cooperative Extension Service, University of Kentucky Publication: pages: 1-4.

[4] Scott, E. R. 2003. The High price of “Free” Trade: NAFTA’s failure has cost the United States jobs across the nation. Economic Policy Institute Journal, pages: 2-87.

[5] Pablo, S, Ernesto, S, and Mariano, T. 2003. Political Institutions, Policymaking Processes and Policy Outcomes: An Intertemporal Transactions Framework. pages 1-52.