Public Policy Glossary

The process by which issues gain attention and priority on the governmental agenda, influenced by media, interest groups, focusing events, and political conditions.

Herbert Simon's concept that decision-makers have limited cognitive capacity, time, and information, leading them to satisfice rather than optimize when making policy decisions.

The system of government agencies and officials responsible for implementing public policies, characterized by hierarchical structure, formal rules, and specialized functions.

An evaluative method comparing the total expected monetary costs and benefits of a policy to determine whether it produces a net positive outcome for society.

The transfer of authority, responsibility, and funding from a central government to lower levels of government, giving subnational entities greater policy autonomy.

Policies that allocate benefits broadly across society, typically funded through general tax revenues, such as infrastructure projects and public education.

An approach to policy development that prioritizes rigorous empirical evidence, data analytics, and systematic program evaluation to inform government decisions.

A cost or benefit of an economic activity that affects parties not directly involved in the transaction, such as pollution from a factory affecting nearby residents.

A system of government in which authority is divided between a central government and constituent political units, creating multiple levels at which public policy is made.

A sudden, dramatic event such as a disaster, crisis, or scandal that captures public attention and can rapidly elevate an issue onto the policy agenda.

A policymaking approach in which changes are made through small, gradual adjustments to existing policies rather than through comprehensive overhauls.

An organized group of individuals or entities that seeks to influence public policy in a particular area, often through lobbying, campaign contributions, and public advocacy.

The mutually reinforcing relationship among congressional committees, executive agencies, and interest groups within a specific policy domain.

A condition in which free markets fail to allocate resources efficiently, often cited as a justification for government intervention through public policy.

John Kingdon's theory that major policy change occurs when three streams, problems, policies, and politics, converge to open a policy window.

An individual who invests time, energy, and resources to promote policy proposals, coupling solutions to problems and exploiting policy windows when they arise.

The process by which existing policies shape political behavior, public attitudes, institutional capacity, and future policy decisions, creating self-reinforcing or self-undermining dynamics.

The process of putting enacted policies into practice, involving the allocation of resources, creation of regulations, and delivery of services by government agencies and their partners.

A temporary opportunity for policy change that opens when problem, policy, and political conditions align, allowing advocates to advance their proposals.

The systematic assessment of a program's design, implementation, and results to determine its effectiveness, efficiency, and relevance for informing future policy decisions.

A good or service that is non-excludable and non-rivalrous, meaning it is available to all and one person's consumption does not reduce availability for others.

A theory that policy systems are characterized by long periods of stability interrupted by sudden, dramatic shifts when issue attention and policy images change rapidly.

Policies that deliberately transfer resources from one group to another, such as progressive taxation and social welfare programs, typically generating significant political conflict.

Government rules and standards that constrain or direct behavior to protect public interests such as health, safety, the environment, and market fairness.

Frontline public service workers who interact directly with citizens and exercise considerable discretion in how policies are actually implemented and experienced.