Stage of Public Policy

Stage I: Setting the Agenda

It is the first step in public policy formulation. Agenda is the list of subject or problem to which government officials and people outside the government officials are paying some serious attention at any given period. At this stage problems requiring government to take actions are identified by government. Following are the things which determine the agenda:

a.      Ideology

Every society operates in a separate ideology. A policy must be according to the ideology of the society.

b.     Politics

It is the second thing that matter on the agenda. A political perspective is adopted not necessarily related to any political party and issues related to that particular perspective are likely to receive consideration.

c.      Economics

Though politics play major role in policy formulation, political parties do not formulate their manifestos in an empty and they must consider economics. Here economics means resources which are used to do about an issue. The behavior of national and international economy affects the agenda of public policy making.

d.     Crises

It gives rise agenda for public policy. Crises like the HIV/AIDS, the Gulf War, various terrorist activities and many others demands a policy to counter them. Sometimes crisis means a rethinking of a whole area of public policy.

e.      Pressure

Pressure from different groups also give rise agenda for public policy. Public pressure may be applied even without a crisis situation if a group is sufficiently well organized and well resourced to force attention.

          Stage II: Formulating the Answers

           The responses to the demand for public policies primarily depends upon which resources are required and how they may be required. There are especially three types of resources used for formulating public policies:

a.      Material: It includes finance, land and capital.

b.     Technical: It includes expertise, efficiency and effectiveness.

c.      Support: It includes support from various stakeholders.

Stage III: Making Decision

Policy is prepared by experts but the decision to be implemented is taken by politicians. Making decision includes the following:

a.      Making a Decision: It means a relatively open agenda with a number of different options to consider including the decision not to decide at all.

b.     Taking a Decision: It means agreement with a proposal that is set out in full detail before the legislator. It is the government that sets the agenda and formulate policies.

Stage IV: Implementing the Decision

Once the decision is made, it is implemented by the executive branch of the government. It requires the same resources as those required for policy formulation such as finance, land and capital.

Stage V: Evaluation

It is the final stage. It includes the monitoring, analysis , criticism and assessment of existing or proposed policies. It’s purpose is not to justify a policy rather to check its effectiveness so that if it is seen to be unsuccessful it may be adjusted.