Why is public policy more important now than ever?

Public policy is the sum total of legislation, policies, and measures taken by government to achieve specific social and economic goals. It confirms the government’s desire and plan to deal with specific problems or challenges in specific sectors or areas. Public policy refers to the set of institutions and practices that dictate both the actions of governments and their relations with society and the economy, as well as politics.

It sets policy issues in the areas of economy, social issues, education, and health and environmental services. It is driven by the policies of the president, the standards and beliefs of the community, and the economic status of the nation and is a key factor in dictating the fate of the state. It is important to understand that public policy is used as a tool to solve social problems and build societies. In political science, it is crucial to define and describe what public policy means, what changes it has undergone, and why it is important.

Public policy as a field of study is beneficial because it prepares people to deal with some of the challenges facing society and has a significant impact. It offers a perspective on managing policy development, establishing performance and outcome measures, and achieving change in policy decisions. In addition, public policy scholars develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and analytical skills that are fundamental to various fields. It also provides exposure to professionals in the field with whom one can interact for business purposes.

These benefits are compounded by pursuing a master’s in public policy because it provides those interested in acquiring the skills necessary to become in-demand professionals with the opportunity to do so. With the increased knowledge gained through the program, graduates are able to assume leadership responsibilities in government, nonprofit, and private organizations. They are also prepared to make a positive impact on society.

As mentioned earlier, public policies can be divided into a number of varieties based on factors such as focus, breadth, and time horizon. Distributive policies involve the use of resources within social structures to ensure equitable distribution of material products. Redistributive policies aim to achieve the lowest possible income disparity through wealth transfer. Public policies regulate or attempt to influence the behavior of individuals or organizations in order to promote the public good or public interest. Constitutional policies refer to policies that define the character of a society in terms of rights and roles. There are international relationships and policies that aim to promote a country’s goals, prevent conflicts, and strengthen alliances.

Why is public policy more important now than ever?

In recent years, countries have witnessed growing interdependence in the areas of trade and investment, security, health, and more. This can be further explained by the fact that as individuals and assets cross physical borders, public concerns have evolved into international ones. The recent COVID-19 pandemic has provided perhaps the best example of how countries need each other to guarantee the safety of their citizens, indicating the multifaceted nature of public policy issues.

The most important and significant change is that due to rapid urbanization, rising education levels and the importance of technology and telecommunications, citizens and other important non-governmental stakeholders in India have become actively involved in the policy-making process in the country. Complex social development processes and high social expectations create the potential for disaster if poorly designed and poorly implemented policies are implemented.

In a democracy like India, citizens have a key means to participate indirectly in policy-making: voting. In other words, when you vote for the government, you are also implicitly voting for or against the proposed public policies that are supported or supported by the government. In light of the dynamics in which parties and politicians change every few years, the positions and attitudes of the majority and office-bearers also change. However, politicians are removed from power, while public policies are not easily changed in the short term. Therefore, every vote should be cast with the intention of those who dictate the policies that you consider important for your nation.

Each stakeholder has a different perception of social issues and has its own incentives or risks associated with the policy process. The ability to balance and mediate between stakeholder demands and policy goals shapes the successful outcomes of a given public policy. The test of good public policy is meeting the needs of citizens of this and that without compromising the broader national interest.

Scope of Studying Public Policy in India

Public policy in India also involves engagement not only at the government (sarkari) and market (bazaar) levels but also at the societal (samaj) level. The significant growth and development over the last two decades has seen a flourishing of numerous institutions providing education in public policy and related areas, along with various think tanks, implementing and monitoring agencies and evaluators. There is now a huge demand for professionals with domain knowledge spanning India, public policy operations, bureaucracy and technical disciplines specific to the available positions.

The market for careers in public policy is vast, and new career opportunities are emerging as needs are further fragmented and become more specific. Careers in public policy can be in both public and non-public civil service employment sectors. undefined

Government (Sarkar): civil services, judiciary, armed forces, law enforcement agencies, central and state regulatory bodies including banking and insurance sector, teachers, doctors, nurses and social workers.

Market (Bazaar): government policy researchers and analysts, market research analysts and consultants, policy advisors, impact assessors, monitoring and evaluation specialists, journalists, public relations staff and lawyers.

Society (Samaj): policy makers, development and program staff, equality activists, donors and grantmakers, legislators and legislative assistants, policy researchers, political strategists and pollsters, campaign managers, and advertising professionals.

Public policy offers employment to anyone, regardless of their field of study after their academic years. Contrary to what many believe, you don’t have to be a social science major with a specialization in economics, sociology, political science, or public administration to find your place in the field. Engineering, architecture, urban and rural planning, and management skills are still worth their weight in gold in solving difficult problems and issues, from developing urban infrastructure to designing carbon neutrality.

Application

Public policy has never been more important than it is now, as countries face transnational challenges, including the infectious disease COVID-19, climate change, and inequality. This has led to the creation of job opportunities for aspiring individuals. Earning a Master of Public Policy can prepare a person to analyze, create, and implement diverse and effective policies that both agencies and private companies need. Graduates can advance their careers and serve in government roles, as well as advise and advocate for the public. From developing the ability to generate and evaluate ideas, reason inductively, and walk through solutions to acquiring advanced knowledge in public policy, this degree equips graduates to make a difference and meet the challenges of today’s world.