PUBLIC POLICY ANALYSIS|FINAL SPRING
EXAMINATION (2025/2026) Comprehensive
Social Sciences and Governance Competency
Assessment
Policy Formulation, Implementation, Evaluation and Governance Frameworks
What is public policy?
a relatively stable purposive course of action followed by an actor or set of actors in dealing
with a problem or concern.
- sometimes it's not even on purpose
- public policy does not change often
- a focus on what is done, not intentions
(policy can be much more than law. Informal norms that become institutionalized).
Who makes policy?
Two primary areas:
1) Government Institutions
- (authority to set policy for society)
2) Private Organizations
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, Why public policy?
Because the government is necessary to the imperfect human condition
- Sinful people make up their own morality.
Government should deter evil and encourage good.
- "Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed." Genesis 9:6
What is policy analysis?
1) Application of social science to societal problems
2) Constructive analysis of concrete policy choices through research and advice
3) Developing scientific knowledge about the forces shaping policy and the consequences of
public policy
4) Applying analytical techniques to social issues for the purpose of enhanced understanding of
and improved input into the policy process
Is government necessary?
yes... "if men were angels, no government would be necessary" James Madison.
Yes, government is necessary; however, that does not mean it needs to look like what it does
today. (Ex: Israelites when they asked for a king).
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EXAMINATION (2025/2026) Comprehensive
Social Sciences and Governance Competency
Assessment
Policy Formulation, Implementation, Evaluation and Governance Frameworks
What is public policy?
a relatively stable purposive course of action followed by an actor or set of actors in dealing
with a problem or concern.
- sometimes it's not even on purpose
- public policy does not change often
- a focus on what is done, not intentions
(policy can be much more than law. Informal norms that become institutionalized).
Who makes policy?
Two primary areas:
1) Government Institutions
- (authority to set policy for society)
2) Private Organizations
1|Page
, Why public policy?
Because the government is necessary to the imperfect human condition
- Sinful people make up their own morality.
Government should deter evil and encourage good.
- "Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed." Genesis 9:6
What is policy analysis?
1) Application of social science to societal problems
2) Constructive analysis of concrete policy choices through research and advice
3) Developing scientific knowledge about the forces shaping policy and the consequences of
public policy
4) Applying analytical techniques to social issues for the purpose of enhanced understanding of
and improved input into the policy process
Is government necessary?
yes... "if men were angels, no government would be necessary" James Madison.
Yes, government is necessary; however, that does not mean it needs to look like what it does
today. (Ex: Israelites when they asked for a king).
2|Page
