Government policy encompasses all laws, regulations, and actions that a government makes to address relevant and problematic societal issues. The purpose of government policies is to improve human flourishing by promoting certain interests, addressing pressing problems, allocating resources, and regulating behaviours.
Policy can take many forms and be reactive, responding to immediate social movements or crises, or proactive, aiming to prevent future problems from occurring. The latter may be aimed at achieving a variety of goals such as economic expansion, reducing inequality, or safeguarding the environment.
The decision to pursue a specific policy goal is guided by political, economic and cultural factors. These include the prevailing ideology of a country or region, the nature of social and environmental challenges, and the structures that determine how laws are made. Policy making is a complex and time consuming process that includes agenda setting, identifying the issue as one needing action, suggesting solutions and proving solvency.
Policymakers must consider the views of a diverse range of groups and stakeholders to ensure that they are addressing societal issues in a way that will benefit everyone. Modern policymakers embrace collaboration with the private sector, research institutions and non-profit organisations to gather insights and develop a range of practical initiatives that will achieve a desired outcome. These can be formally documented through policies or informal norms that influence human behaviour. The impact of government policy is widely felt throughout society and influences all aspects of life, from education to healthcare to the environment.