SAMENVATTING: PUBLIC POLICY
1 SESSION 1: GOVERNMENT AND POLICY
1.1 INTRODUCTION TO PUBLIC POLICY
Public policy is about the choices a government makes. It can mean both doing
something and choosing not to do something (Dye, 1972/1992).
Important: Doing nothing is also policy, because the government decides to ignore or
not act on a problem.
Who makes policy? Only the government has the legal and constitutional right to do
so.
Example: During COVID-19, many people thought scientists made the rules. But in
reality, it was always the government that made and announced the decisions.
Public policy is all around us. We interact with it every day, often without noticing.
Example: Transport: speed limits, traffic lights, or public buses.
Environment: recycling rules, clean air regulations, or bans on plastic bags.
Example 2: Norway made a law to protect young people from unrealistic body images.
Influencers must add a label if photos or videos are retouched. The goal is to
reduce body pressure (kroppspress) on young people.
This is a clear example of public policy:
The government saw a problem (unrealistic images causing harm).
They made a decision (create a law with labels).
They did it to protect the public (especially young people).
1.2 DIFFERENT TYPES OF POLICIES
Regulatory Policies
These policies set rules and limits on how individuals or organizations can act.
The goal is to protect public interests by controlling behavior.
Examples: traffic laws, public health rules (like smoking bans), workplace safety,
antitrust laws.
Distributive Policies
These policies provide resources or services to certain groups or regions.
The cost is spread across society, but the benefits go to a specific group.
Examples: public housing, government grants, subsidies for farmers, infrastructure
projects.
Redistributive Policies
These policies move resources from one group to another to reduce inequality.
They often focus on income, wealth, or social opportunities.
Examples: income tax, progressive taxation, social security, student aid.
Constituent Policies
These policies shape the structure and powers of government itself.
They decide how institutions are organized and what authority they have.
Examples: creating new agencies, laws that set court jurisdictions, rules about
budgets or personnel.
, 1.3 EXAMPLES OF POLICY TYPES
Competitive Policy
Goal: Promote competition in markets to improve efficiency, lower costs, and
encourage innovation.
The government reduces barriers and lets businesses compete freely.
Examples: antitrust laws, deregulation of airlines, opening telecom markets to
multiple providers.
Protective Policy
Goal: Protect people or groups from harm, inequality, or unfair practices.
The government steps in with rules or support to ensure fairness and safety.
Examples: minimum wage laws, food safety regulations, social welfare programs,
workplace protections.
Self-Regulating Policy
Goal: Let industries or professions regulate themselves, with limited
government control.
Responsibility is given to the group itself, under agreed standards.
Examples: medical associations setting professional codes, journalism ethics boards,
stock exchange rules created by the exchange itself.
1.4 WHY DOES GOVERNMENT PURSUE POLICY?
What is a Problem in Policy?
A problem is a gap between the desired situation and the current condition
Example: We want clean air, but the current condition is pollution → that gap = the
problem.
Does everyone see the same problem?
No. Different groups may see the same situation in different ways.
For example: some see climate change as urgent, others see it as less important.
Battles between problems and solutions
People disagree not only on what the problem is, but also on how to solve it.
Example: During COVID, some wanted strict lockdowns, others preferred fewer
restrictions.
The “gap” depends on values, interests, and perspectives — so defining a problem is
often the first political battle.
1 SESSION 1: GOVERNMENT AND POLICY
1.1 INTRODUCTION TO PUBLIC POLICY
Public policy is about the choices a government makes. It can mean both doing
something and choosing not to do something (Dye, 1972/1992).
Important: Doing nothing is also policy, because the government decides to ignore or
not act on a problem.
Who makes policy? Only the government has the legal and constitutional right to do
so.
Example: During COVID-19, many people thought scientists made the rules. But in
reality, it was always the government that made and announced the decisions.
Public policy is all around us. We interact with it every day, often without noticing.
Example: Transport: speed limits, traffic lights, or public buses.
Environment: recycling rules, clean air regulations, or bans on plastic bags.
Example 2: Norway made a law to protect young people from unrealistic body images.
Influencers must add a label if photos or videos are retouched. The goal is to
reduce body pressure (kroppspress) on young people.
This is a clear example of public policy:
The government saw a problem (unrealistic images causing harm).
They made a decision (create a law with labels).
They did it to protect the public (especially young people).
1.2 DIFFERENT TYPES OF POLICIES
Regulatory Policies
These policies set rules and limits on how individuals or organizations can act.
The goal is to protect public interests by controlling behavior.
Examples: traffic laws, public health rules (like smoking bans), workplace safety,
antitrust laws.
Distributive Policies
These policies provide resources or services to certain groups or regions.
The cost is spread across society, but the benefits go to a specific group.
Examples: public housing, government grants, subsidies for farmers, infrastructure
projects.
Redistributive Policies
These policies move resources from one group to another to reduce inequality.
They often focus on income, wealth, or social opportunities.
Examples: income tax, progressive taxation, social security, student aid.
Constituent Policies
These policies shape the structure and powers of government itself.
They decide how institutions are organized and what authority they have.
Examples: creating new agencies, laws that set court jurisdictions, rules about
budgets or personnel.
, 1.3 EXAMPLES OF POLICY TYPES
Competitive Policy
Goal: Promote competition in markets to improve efficiency, lower costs, and
encourage innovation.
The government reduces barriers and lets businesses compete freely.
Examples: antitrust laws, deregulation of airlines, opening telecom markets to
multiple providers.
Protective Policy
Goal: Protect people or groups from harm, inequality, or unfair practices.
The government steps in with rules or support to ensure fairness and safety.
Examples: minimum wage laws, food safety regulations, social welfare programs,
workplace protections.
Self-Regulating Policy
Goal: Let industries or professions regulate themselves, with limited
government control.
Responsibility is given to the group itself, under agreed standards.
Examples: medical associations setting professional codes, journalism ethics boards,
stock exchange rules created by the exchange itself.
1.4 WHY DOES GOVERNMENT PURSUE POLICY?
What is a Problem in Policy?
A problem is a gap between the desired situation and the current condition
Example: We want clean air, but the current condition is pollution → that gap = the
problem.
Does everyone see the same problem?
No. Different groups may see the same situation in different ways.
For example: some see climate change as urgent, others see it as less important.
Battles between problems and solutions
People disagree not only on what the problem is, but also on how to solve it.
Example: During COVID, some wanted strict lockdowns, others preferred fewer
restrictions.
The “gap” depends on values, interests, and perspectives — so defining a problem is
often the first political battle.
