The government is responsible for providing basic services and infrastructure, maintaining law and order, regulating the economy and protecting the environment. This is a huge responsibility and requires policy decisions to be well thought out and based on extensive research, consultation and analysis. Government policies are created and implemented through laws, enactments, regulations and programs. They are shaped by social conditions, prevailing political values and the structure of the government itself.
The process of making policy can be complex and at times controversial. Political parties and individual elected politicians want to maintain their power and so often their positions on specific issues can change. Interest groups such as unions (such as the Oil Workers Union and Dairy Farmers Union) and environmental and consumer groups will often have a strong voice in public policy making.
Developing public policy is an ongoing process and it is important to have a team of experts who can provide evidence and data that supports the claims being made. It is also important to have champions and stewards who will push the policy forward and ensure it is successful. Understanding and anticipating resistance to the policy will also be helpful.
Government policies can be local, regional, national or international in scope. They are often developed to achieve specific goals and objectives like promoting economic growth, reducing poverty, improving education or protecting the environment. Some policies are short term – for example responding to a business cycle or economic crisis, while others are long term – such as reducing inequality or increasing economic security through investment in education and infrastructure.