A government policy is a set of laws, regulations or courses of action promulgated by a governmental entity. A governing body’s policies are the result of a process that involves consultation, research and drafting. A policy is a means of tackling a political problem and, when successful, it can foster trust in government institutions and encourage civic engagement. When a policy fails to meet the needs of society, it can fuel disillusionment with political systems and promote more robust social movements advocating for change.
Scholars disagree on a precise definition of policy, but a pragmatic one would include any government endeavor that has the potential to improve people’s lives. These include everything from reducing the hassle factor in dealing with government to increasing education opportunities to providing more affordable healthcare.
Regardless of the scope of a policy, most are rooted in an ideology or value. For example, a healthcare policy may seek to regulate hospital quality to ensure the best patient experience. Another policy may seek to address racial justice and impose a certain level of equality among citizens.
In the past two decades, many government endeavors have failed to live up to expectations. In fact, in a recent poll conducted by NBC News, Americans rated many of their country’s greatest achievements as “not very impressive.” The footprints of these failures are clear and can be traced back to Congress. The Debates of Congress collection is a great place to explore these controversies.
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