5. Types of Public
Policy
Distributive policy (new
benefits are given to all
citizens)
Redistributive policy
(resources taken from one
group and given to
another—zero sum game)
Counterdistributive policy
(resources taken from
everyone to solve a specific
problem—Social Security)
6. The Eight
Steps in
Making
Public
Policy
1. Making assumptions about the
world
2. Setting the agenda
• Nondecision
• Policy agenda
• Think tanks
3. Deciding to act
4. Deciding how much to do
• Incremental policy
• Punctuating policy
• Iron triangles
• Issue networks
7. The Eight
Steps in
Making
Public
Policy
5. Choosing a tool
Federal spending
Use of taxes
Providing goods and services
Guarantee protection against risk
Regulations and rules
Provision of both material and symbolic benefits
6. Deciding who will deliver the goods or services
Federal government
“Third-party government”
Private businesses
Colleges and universities
State and local governments
Charities
7. Making rules for implementation
Federal Register
8. Running the program
