Public Policy

What is Public Policy?

Understand why public policy NEVER occurs in a vacuum.

Learn about contextual perspectives as they relate to public policy.

Discover where can one find public policy in current events

Administrative Items for Class

• Attendance

• Sign up for Oral Presentations

• Select Group One or Two for 2nd Policy Memo

• Announcements?

• What is "New & Groovy in Public Policy?"

PUBLIC POLICY - What is it?

Please write down a definition for the phrase "PUBLIC POLICY"...and compare with someone near you...

Definitions:

PUBLIC ------------ POLICY

"WHAT GOVERNMENT DOES OR DOES NOT DO."

What is the description of a "public policy" that you found in your reading?

• ____________

• __________

• ____________

Actions of government, and intentions determining those actions.

Choices between goals and alternatives.

Intentional course of action followed by a government institution or official for resolving some issue of public concern.

POLITICAL SCIENCE - The description and explanation of the causes and consequences of government activity

Some Distinctions In Focus When Making Public Policy

• Many v. Individual

• Organization v. Person

• Public v. Private

• Action v. Inaction

• Intentional v. Accidental

CONTEXTS

When reading the reserve readings for Thursday, consider these questions?

What major contexts do the readings present?

What are some examples of the contexts "in action" from your web site, or in the readings?

6 Sept 2005