Impact on the Policy Process

Before you can set about constructing purposeful public policies to solve a specific societal problem, you have to decide whether the perceived issue is, in fact, a "problem" that can or should be "resolved."

In this assignment, you will analyze some problems and, through follow-up discussions, arrive at a consensus on what constitutes a societal problem. You will also determine whether it could be resolved.
Tasks:

• How is a societal problem defined? Support with examples.
• How do you think defining a societal problem impacts the policy cycle?
• In your opinion, which specific stage of the policy cycle would this impact? Why do you think so?
• What are, if any, the "costs" or trade-offs involved in the enactment of a policy to remedy the problem?