1. Public Policy: Government in Action

2. What is Public Policy? laws, decisions, actions & standard procedures carried out by government to pursue a stated goal or objective May be described according to general functions Typically involves a policy “target” Generally developed according to Rational Choice/Decision theory Identified by distinct policy issue areas –Domestic –Foreign –Economic –Defense –Specific policies may overlap issue areas Foreign Economic Domestic Defense

3. Public Policy Functions Distribution Regulation Redistribution

4. Distribution Resources allocated to address policy issues Resources may include products, services, personnel, money, benefits, or other things valued Example: Federal Funding to maintain interstate highways

5. Regulation Use of Executive Power –Law –Administrative action –Police action –Rule-making and inspection Use of Judicial Power To compel or restrain action Example: The Clean Air Act and EPA enforcement

6. Redistribution Resembles distribution Resources are taken from one policy “target” and applied to another. Example: The Social Security System