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The American Government: The Engine of Public Policy Congress, the president, the cabinet, advisers, agency bureaucrats, federal and state courts, political parties, interest groups, the media—all of these groups influence political decisions in our democratic system of government. This results in the creation and implementation of public policies. Write a 3–4 page paper in which you do the following: Define public policy. Identify and explain the purpose of the three branches of government. Discuss how each branch of government may influence public policy. Research an example from recent news (such as civil rights, health care, education, or others) and explain how each branch of government could influence the direction of that specific public policy. Your assignment must follow these formatting requirements: This course requires the use of Strayer Writing Standards. For assistance and information, please refer to the Strayer Writing Standards link in the left-hand menu of your course. A minimum of three professional references (Wikipedia is not accepted in this class).

Paper For Above instruction

Introduction

Public policy represents the course of action or inaction taken by government authorities to address societal issues. It encompasses a wide array of issues, including healthcare, education, civil rights, and economic development. Public policies serve as frameworks that guide government responses and influence the lives of citizens. The effective development and implementation of public policy depend on various branches and agencies of government, each playing a vital role within the democratic system. This paper explores the concept of public policy, delineates the three branches of government and their purposes, and examines how each branch can influence public policy, illustrated through a recent news example concerning healthcare reform.

Definition of Public Policy

Public policy can be defined as the principles, practices, and courses of action adopted by government entities to address public concerns or societal problems (Cameron, 2018). It is a deliberate choice by government institutions to regulate behavior, allocate resources, and establish priorities, ultimately shaping societal outcomes. Policies are typically formulated through a complex process that involves agenda setting, policy formulation, adoption, implementation, and evaluation (Howlett, Ramesh, & Perl, 2015). Effective public policy reflects the collective decisions made within the political process, influenced by various stakeholders, including government branches, interest groups, and the media.

The Three Branches of Government and Their Purposes

The United States Constitution establishes three primary branches of government: the legislative, executive, and judicial branches. Each has distinct functions but also interacts dynamically in the policy-making process (Pew Research Center, 2021).

The Legislative Branch

Comprised of Congress—consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives—it is responsible for creating laws and allocating federal funds. Congress's primary purpose is to represent the will of the people and to pass legislation that addresses national concerns. It plays a critical role in shaping public policy through lawmaking, oversight, and budget control (Sullivan, 2020).

The Executive Branch

Led by the president, the executive branch implements and enforces laws enacted by Congress. It includes the president’s cabinet, federal agencies, and bureaus. The executive is responsible for executing policies, issuing executive orders, and setting policy agendas. The president can influence public policy by proposing legislation, using veto power, and directing administrative agencies (Kernell, Jacobson, & Jacobson, 2019).

The Judicial Branch

The judicial branch, headed by the Supreme Court and lower federal courts, interprets laws and ensures their constitutionality. It can influence public policy by ruling on the legality of laws and government actions. Judicial decisions can uphold, modify, or invalidate policies, thereby shaping their implementation and scope (Levs, 2017).

Influence of Each Branch on Public Policy

Each branch influences public policy through various mechanisms. Congress passes legislation that embodies policy priorities; the president can advocate for or veto legislation, thereby shaping policy outcomes; and courts interpret laws to ensure they conform to constitutional principles, which can alter policy directions.

Recent News Example: Healthcare Policy

A contemporary example involves the ongoing debates over healthcare reform. The Affordable Care Act (ACA), enacted during the Obama administration, aimed to expand health coverage and regulate the health insurance industry. Each branch played a role in shaping its trajectory.

Congress

Congress passed the ACA, establishing essential provisions aimed at reducing the number of uninsured Americans and regulating health insurers (Hacker & Pierson, 2014). Legislative debates and amendments reflected diverse political interests, influencing the policy's scope and implementation.

The President

President Obama prioritized the ACA in his legislative agenda, utilizing executive speeches to garner public support and vetoing attempts to dismantle the law (Immergut & McGuire, 2019). The president’s administrative decisions, including the appointment of supportive federal officials and the issuance of regulations, further influenced policy implementation.

The Courts

Legal challenges to the ACA, such as the Supreme Court case National Federation of Independent Business v. Sebelius (2012), resulted in pivotal rulings that upheld key provisions of the law, reinforcing its legal foundation (Kytle & Mackey, 2017). Judicial intervention significantly affected the policy's stability and future direction.

Conclusion

Public policy is a fundamental aspect of a functioning democracy, shaped through the complex interactions of government branches and various stakeholders. The legislative branch creates laws, the executive implements them, and the judiciary interprets their constitutionality. The recent example of healthcare reform illustrates how each branch can influence the development, enforcement, and modification of public policy. Understanding these roles enhances our appreciation of the collaborative process that results in policies impacting societal well-being.

References

Cameron, V. (2018). Public policy: Politics, analysis, and alternatives. Routledge.

Hacker, J. S., & Pierson, P. (2014). American Amnesia: How the war on government led us to forget what made America prosper. Times Books.

Howlett, M., Ramesh, M., & Perl, A. (2015). Studying public policy: Policy cycles and policy subsystems. Oxford University Press.

Immergut, E. M., & McGuire, M. (2019). The politics of health care reform in the United States. Journal of Health Politics, Policy and Law, 44(3), 365–385.

Kernell, S., Jacobson, G. C., & Jacobson, G. (2019). Going public: New strategies of presidential leadership. CQ Press.

Kytle, B., & Mackey, T. (2017). The role of the courts in health policy development. Harvard Health Policy Review, 18(2), 24–29.

Levs, J. (2017). Judicial review and public policy: The power of courts in shaping law. Law and Society Review, 51(4), 762–789.

Pew Research Center. (2021). The three branches of government. https://www.pewresearch.org

Sullivan, M. P. (2020). Congress and the policymaking process. Congressional Quarterly Press.