Public Policy Defined

     When one attempts to define a term as abstract and encompassing as public policy, he can either go with an over-simplified definition which is certain to leave out some important character quality, or he can state a definition which is so full of qualifiers, that the definition requires a word-for-word breakdown to explain it. I will begin with the definition of public policy given by Dr. James E. Anderson:

   "A purposive course of action followed by an actor or set of actors in dealing with a problem or matter of concern for the population...Public policies are those developed by governmental bodies and officials." - Anderson, James E. Public Policymaking: An Introduction 2nd ed. 1994. pp 5-6.  

     This definition implies: [1] public policy is goal-oriented ("purposive"); [2] public policy is a process/pattern of actions instead of single actions ("course of action"); and [3] public policy may affect more than just those involved ("for the population").

     Anderson's definition also implies that the purpose of public policy is to deal with public problems. We have replaced one abstract term with another. We must then ask "what is a public problem" and "what distinguishes public problems from other problems."

     John Dewey distinguished "public" from "private" based upon who was affected by an activity. If some action affected others outside of the direct participants, then the matter could be considered public. Thus, a public problem would be one that affected more than just those directly involved - a problem with indirect consequences.

     Yet, now that we have the definition of public policy down to "a course of action taken to deal with public problems" and we've defined public problems as "a problem with indirect consequences for others", we have to realize the breadth of this definition. This definition could be interpreted to encompass nearly all situations, allowing there to be a public policy for every occasion.

     As noted elsewhere, the results of public policy do, indeed, surround us; yet, there are, rightfully so, many constraints upon officials that shape public policymaking.

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3/22/97