5 Stages Policy Process

Public Policy

A purposive course of action followed by government in dealing with some problem or concern

Stage 3

Policy Adoption-who has authority

Stage 1

Policy Agenda-define problem

Constituent Policy

establishment of government structure with rules or procedures for the conduct of government (Homeland Security)

Regulatory Policy

imposes limitations, restraints, or mandates on persons, groups, businesses, reducing their discretion to act

Stage 5

Policy Evaluation-does it work?

Stage 2

Policy Formation-what should be done

Stage 4

Policy implementation-enforcement & execution

Re-distributive Policy

shifts resources such as money and power among broad groups of people , from the haves to the have-nots

Institutional Theory

stressing the importance of organizational arrangements & rules in shaping public policies

Self-regulatory Policy

those ostensibly belong regulated have much influence over the regulation

Elite Theory

view that public policies are determined by a small segment of society (upper class) uncontrolled by the mass of citizens

Group Theory

policies result from conflict and struggle among political groups

Distributive Policy

provides services or benefits to a particular persons, groups, or communities

Political Systems Theory

public policies are a political systems responses to demands from its environment

Rational Choice Theory

public policies result from the pursuit of self-interest by citizens & officials