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There are many ethical dimensions of public policy. Public policy as actions to solve the collective problems includes directly or indirectly making ethical judgments. Public policy takes into account reconciliation of conflicting interests of individuals, groups, and organizations which is based on the values agreeing which influences on the objectives, principles, and styles of policy implementation. Ethical judgments about selecting more and less important as well as more positive problem solutions are present on all stages of policy cycle.

Examines the impact of social movement organizations (SMOs) & interest groups on public policy, arguing that their influence is constrained by electoral competition & limits on the ability of citizens/legislators to address multiple issues at the same time. Legislators pay attention to the wishes of the majority of their constituents, & SMOs cannot have a direct impact on policy if they are in conflict with the majority over issues the public cares about. However, SMOs can directly influence policy on issues the public is not particularly interested in, & indirectly influence policy by relating information to elected officials & administrative agencies, as well as by working to change the public's policy preferences or the intensity of their concerns. An examination of the activities of SMOs & interest groups in the context of theories of democracy leads to the conclusion that there is no theoretical justification for distinguishing between them; hence, their abilities to impact public policy are roughly the same. J. Lindroth

The author considers the rationale for public consultation -- identifying some of its innovative devices as well as some of its problems -- & its impact on policy making, arguing that this particular approach moves away from elitism. The paper also addresses the impact of public opinion polling in public policy & explores factors that influence the values & opinions held by the public. References. D. Miller

"This chapter reviews research on the influence of the media on legislation and public policy. After reflecting on why politicians react to media coverage at all, the chapter mainly focusses on political agenda-setting, but also goes beyond this to come to a broader view on the role of the media in the policy process. In order to do so, the chapter takes a dose look at how media define, Frame and amplify issues or constrain the political agenda and how this impacts political decision making. It is argued that the media link together relevant actors including the public and make it possible that they respond to each other on a limited number of core issues. In addition, the media have the ability to forte politicians to react and take a position in such a way that they can accelerate or rather decelerate the policy process. The chapter closes with a call for more studies trying to understand the complex interaction of media and political decision making." (publisher's description)

Examines the purpose & influence of think tanks in public policy making in Canada, particularly during the constitutional conferences of 1992. The background information on the events leading up to the creation of the constitutional conferences provides context to the involvement of think tanks in the debate. The characteristics & roles of think tanks, including their functions & efforts to reach certain audiences, are scrutinized. The impact of think tanks on public policy is assessed. L. Collins Leigh

The author presents a case study on the way the UK government handled BSE, with a specific focus on the problems that resulted due to scientific uncertainties that accompanied the attempt to formulate a response to this outbreak. References. D. Miller

The purpose of this chapter is to analyse approaches to the sharing economy from the perspective of public policy science. In the first part of the text, attention is paid to perceiving the development of the emerging sharing economy not only as phenomenon with positive economic effects but also as a set of public problems (e.g., on the labour market and for existing economic structures) that require intervention at the level of national governments as well as at international level. Subsequent sections identify possible actions for regulating the development of the sharing economy. The role of soft law, stakeholders' networks, self-regulation and standardisation are discussed in the chapter. The summary includes potential directions for further research.

The paper presents the concept of the "silver economy" as an economic system related to population aging and underlines the features of this policy idea. The study first introduces the discourse and stages of constructing this system by international and national public policy actors in aging. Next, a critical analysis of the dimensions and areas of implementation and development of the silver economy as a policy concept was carried out as well as a review of its external and internal limitations. The conclusion contains proposals for further research directions.

The need for a new approach to social science research on environmental problems is examined. In the comtemporary era of proliferating cultural tensions, environmental policymakers must possess culturally contextualized information to make policy decisions. Unfortunately, the domination of positivism & reductionism in government-funded social science research & policy analysis is ill-suited for generations of realistic & sensitive social knowledge, & can exacerbate cultural tensions &, ultimately, environmental conflicts. Examples of the kinds of problems that can occur when governments rely solely on social science research that pays inadequate attention to the cultural dimensions of environmental conflicts are provided: (1) the capital costs of nuclear power; (2) the social impacts of biotechnology; & (3) the public understanding of sustainability. Social science must reexamine not only theoretical & methodological issues, but also the institutionalization of its research. 50 References. D. Generoli

The influence that political parties, constitutional structures, & veto players, defined as individuals whose assent is required before policy can be changed, exert on public policy is examined. Relevant research conducted on partisan theory, defined as the contention that policy choices in constitutional democracies are largely the product of the composition of political parties within a government, is reviewed. Various sources of data that measure party composition in democracies (N = 23) between 1950 & 2000 are analyzed to determine the validity of partisan theory. Despite the utility of partisan theory, it is contended that constitutional structure & veto players possess significant influence upon public policy outcomes. Even though these variables can result in policy inertia, it is stated that coalitions between major political parties, government longevity, & increases in ideological differences between governments can overcome such immobility. 4 Tables. J. W. Parker