Policy

Policy refers to a deliberate system of principles to guide decisions and achieve rational outcomes. A policy is a statement of intent, and is implemented as a procedure or protocol. Policies are generally adopted by a governance body within an organization. Policies can assist in both subjective and objective decision making.

Definition

A policy is a deliberate system of guidelines to guide decisions and achieve rational outcomes. The term may apply to government, private sector organizations and groups, as well as individuals. Presidential executive orders, corporate privacy policies, and parliamentary rules of order are all examples of policy.

Types of Policy

There are many types of policies that can be applied in different fields. Some of these include:

• Public policy: This refers to the laws, guidelines, procedures, and administrative actions that governments use to achieve certain goals within society.

• Corporate policy: These are the guidelines that a company outlines to define its rules, standards and strategic goals.

• Social policy': This refers to guidelines, principles, legislation and activities that affect the living conditions conducive to human welfare.

Policy Cycle

The policy cycle is a tool used for the analysis of the development of a policy item. It can be split into several stages, including agenda setting, policy formulation, adoption, implementation and evaluation.

Policy Analysis

Policy analysis is a technique used in public administration to enable civil servants, activists, and others to examine and evaluate the available options to implement the goals of laws and elected officials.

See Also

• Policy Debate
• Policy Studies
• Policy Network

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  Policy
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  Centre for International Governance Innovation
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  Blavatnik School of Government, Oxford