Government policy covers a vast range of laws, enactments, and regulations — and their impacts — that govern how people live, work, and interact. Policy varies from one place to the next, and it’s hard for scholars to agree on a single definition, but in general, government policies are decisions formulated by a centralized authority based on a specific set of criteria and values.

While governments may not be able to change every aspect of society, they can impact the way individuals and groups live by establishing policies that help them meet their social goals. This includes providing resources like education, employment, healthcare and transportation. It also involves regulating the activities of businesses and markets, such as ensuring bank security and consumer protections, and instituting drug approval processes and prices.

The complexities of modern government policy are influenced by many factors, including the political climate and prevailing ideology, economic conditions, public opinions and expectations, and the structure of government. Politicians and political parties must consider these factors and collaborate with a wide range of stakeholders in order to craft effective policies.

A policy’s effects are examined in two parts: implications and recommendations. Implications are the effects that the policy could have in the future, while recommendations are suggestions for what steps to take to achieve these results. Both of these elements can be a powerful tool in building support for your argument by demonstrating the potential impact of the policy and the potential effectiveness of the recommended actions.