Introduction
In the modern world, nation-states and governments are entrusted with managing their citizens by implementing laws, regulations, and policies, as well as creating systems to address societal challenges, distribute resources, and facilitate trade. The MA in Public Policy focuses on the formulation and implementation of these policies, examining how they are designed to address issues affecting the general public.
What is Public Policy?
Modern-day nations and governments function through local representatives who identify and communicate the issues faced by their communities. Based on these insights, policies are formulated to address public concerns and improve quality of life. Whether to maintain governance or fulfil their mandate, states must develop a range of policies aimed at making life easier for their citizens. The key characteristics of public policies are as follows:
- Taking notice of challenges and issues faced by the citizens, to create policies with the intention of solving problems.
- The government holds the ultimate choice to act on a problem or not, and this determines how policies are initially drafted.
- Made on behalf of the public, these policies tend to resemble laws and regulations to resolve persistent local issues.
- Policies must be created for the benefit of the masses.
- Policymaking is a continuous process, as the impact of policies can only be evaluated after implementation, with adjustments made based on feedback and results.
Every community has its own set of issues. While some matters are addressed privately or through civil proceedings, others require government intervention through laws and regulations aimed at resolving the issue and restoring balance in society.
Characteristics of Public Policy
| Characteristic | Description |
| Issue Identification | Authorities notice a concern or issue and escalate it to create policies aimed at solving the problem. |
| Government Decision | The government decides whether to act on a problem, influencing how policies are initially drafted. |
| Policy Representation | Policies are made on behalf of the public and often resemble laws or regulations to address specific causes. |
| Goal-Oriented | Policies must have a clear goal or purpose, often developed in collaboration with the public or external sources. |
| Ongoing Process | Policymaking is continuous, with results reviewed and policies adjusted after enforcement. |
Types & Examples of Public Policy
To understand how public policy ideas are proposed to authorities and ultimately approved, it is essential to first recognise the different types of public policies that exist. In the MA Public Policy programme, one of the key course highlights is the study of the four major types of public policies.
- Distributive Policies: The government must create policies that can benefit special communities or groups, mostly the marginalised population, and these are formally called Distributive Policies. Aid, educational programs, health services, and social insurance are some examples of Distributive Policies.
- Regulatory Policies: Government-affiliated independent organisations are in charge of Regulatory Policies. Examples of such policies include trade, business, safety measures, and other regulatory guidelines. Examples of such organisations include LIC, RBI, etc.
- Redistributive Policies: The purpose of Redistributive Policies is to bring social and economic changes within the society by equitably redistributing resources among the public.
- Substantive Policies: The overall welfare and development of the society are the primary concern for Substantive Policies. They include a wide range of issues such as anti-pollution laws, economic stabilisation, educational and employment opportunities, etc.
Like the four major types of public policies, different constituents of public policies denote the purpose of a policy. These are: Laws, Rules & Regulations, Welfare Programs & Practices, and specific Policy changes that are based on national, state or local levels. Some prominent examples of Public Policies include Fiscal Policies, Monetary Policies, and Social Assistance Policies.
| Type of Public Policy | Description | Examples | Responsible Entities |
| Distributive Policies | Policies benefiting specific communities, especially marginalised groups | Aid, educational programs, health services, social insurance | Government |
| Regulatory Policies | Policies enforced by government-affiliated independent organisations | Trade regulations, business safety guidelines | Organisations like LIC, RBI |
| Redistributive Policies | Policies aiming to redistribute resources for social and economic change | Redistribution of wealth and resources | Government |
| Substantive Policies | Policies focused on the overall welfare and development of society | Anti-pollution laws, economic stabilisation, education and employment opportunities | Government |
What Does the Public Policy Course Teach?
The MA in Public Policy programme offers a comprehensive understanding of how public policies are identified, developed, and implemented. It explores how issues are brought to the attention of authorities, the decision-making process behind policy formulation, and how graduates may eventually contribute to policymaking in their careers. The curriculum covers a range of subjects related to public policy, including:
- Introduction to Public Policy
- Economic Foundations of Public Policy
- Social Foundations of Public Policy
- Qualitative Research
- Statistics & Quantitative Analysis
- Academic Writing
- Political Philosophy for Public Policy
- Research Design & Survey Analysis
- Programme Design & Evaluation
- Policy Action Lab
- Public Finance
- State, Governance & Policy
These topics encompass a vast proportion of Public Policy, and choosing related elective subjects can diversify and deepen your academic knowledge in the matter. During the course tenure, colleges such as Jindal School of Government & Public Policy provide special attention to skill development programs and encourage students to pursue internships, thereby enhancing their career prospects.
Quant Skills in Public Policy: Do You Really Need to Love Maths?
The study of Public Policy in prestigious colleges, about the Jindal School of Government & Public Policy, teaches about different hard and soft skills that will later be required in professional circumstances. Research, policy evaluation, evidence-based policymaking, and strategy development are some of the prominent hard skills that you must have to work in the public policy sector.
Such institutions help students develop several soft skills such as leadership qualities, attention to detail, easy communication, and a subtle knowledge of morals and ethics. Besides the importance of hard and soft skills in public policy, there are also quantitative skills that a promising young candidate needs to adopt.
Quantitative skills are often confused with general mathematical skills, but it is so much more than that. Statistical data and analysis are considered quantitative skills, and in public policymaking and evaluation, they are deemed essential for making important decisions.
Job Opportunities to Expect After the Public Policy Degree?
The degree in Public Policy opens diverse career pathways, enabling graduates to find roles that recognise and utilise their potential and skills. Spanning both government and public sectors, the programme also equips students to explore fields like education, healthcare, management, consultancy, NGOs, and more.
This degree qualifies you for positions such as Political Analyst, Program Manager, Budget Analyst, and Regulatory Office Manager, among others.
