29 3.6 – WHAT IS THE GOAL OF PUBLIC POLICY?
- WHAT IS THE GOAL OF PUBLIC POLICY?
Governments have the authority to act on a wide variety of issues, although they do not act on every public issue as we will learn in chapter 4. Often, the decision to act is a result of public consensus that collective action is desired and/or necessary (Stewart, Hedge, Lester, 2008). John Locke (1689) famously described the time before governments were established as the state of nature. In the state of nature life, liberty, and property are continuously threatened because there are no laws for protection. Once citizens decide they would rather live in an ordered and stable society, they agree to a social contract or an agreement among the members of that society to cooperate and form a government that must then pass policies safeguarding individual rights. Once citizens are secure, they are then free to pursue opportunities and contribute to the betterment of society. This idea is the ultimate goal of public policy in a liberal democracy: ensure that citizens are free to fulfill their aspirations.
Mintrom (2012) discusses the actions that governments must take to ensure that citizens are able to pursue their goals and contribute to society. Mintrom’s list is by no means comprehensive; nevertheless, it does provide context for understanding the central goals that public policy attempts to achieve.
First, governments must create policies that defend people and property while maintaining public order. Societies unaccustomed to war and lawlessness often take for granted the importance of survival and a general sense of wellbeing. If, for instance, citizens are constantly under threat of violence, or living in a war zone, the ability to safely raise a family and/or to work are severely threatened. For this reason, policies must be created with the goal of defending people and property. This includes both military threats abroad and domestic threats of crime or violence. Establishing military power and maintaining a corruption free police force strengthens security and helps keep the peace “so that citizens can confidently engage in social and economic activities that can enrich their lives and the lives of others, without being threatened by other people or adverse natural events” (Mintrom, 2019).
Policies should support effective nongovernmental institutions. This concept is similar to preventing market failures, as people often look to government when they want institutional change. In fact, “many public policies are government efforts to reform and improve the workings of the broader set of societal institutions” (Mintrom, 2019). Consider regulatory policy, which is meant to curtail the negative costs of business activities. Environmental regulations that reduce carbon emissions or restrict the types of chemicals that can be used in household cleaners, and laws that prohibit monopolies are all examples of policies that encourage effective nongovernmental institutions. Greater efficiency can also be achieved through these types of policies. For instance, governments can promote efficient economic advancement which in turn leads to human advancement. Promotion of small businesses or lowering interest rates during a recession are examples of efficient economic policies.
Recent attention on sustainability has encouraged government intervention in sustainable development. Most would agree that our world is fueled by a collection of finite resources. However, the desire and ability of individual governments to put sustainable policies into action varies from country to country. Governments that choose to promote sustainability do so through regulations, taxes and incentives, fees and subsidies. For example, tax benefits are given to homeowners who use energy efficient products, such as solar panels or electric cars.
Finally, Mintrom argues that the goal of policy is to promote human flourishing and prosperity. Policies that promote human flourishing can address individuals or communities. Community planning efforts, economic and educational opportunities, and social welfare systems are all government attempts to enhance the human experience and allow citizens to advance and improve. Likewise, policies that promote social equity benefit citizens because they confirm a commitment and respect for human dignity. As Mintrom writes, “As a society, we gain immeasurably from the fully developed actions, creativity, discoveries, and tenacity of other human beings” (Mintrom, 2019). Policies that promote social equity also serve another benefit by promoting social order. Recent racial inequalities have highlighted how views that government institutions, such as Congress or police officers who behave unfairly, can damage public trust and increase levels of social unrest. Along these same lines, advancement of human rights and promotion of civil rights are actions that governments can take to promote human flourishing.
