Public Policy: Definition, Significance, and Example in Indonesia
Public policy affects every aspect of our daily lives. From searching online for the train schedule to disembarking the train after a long day of work, a set of policies from the city up to the national levels of government had to be formulated, analysed, implemented and evaluated to ensure your day-to-day commute by train runs smoothly. This concise guide briefs you on the definition, importance, and the discipline dedicated to the study of public policy.
What is public policy?
There is no single definition of public policy, but to put it in simple terms, according to Dr. Sabina Puspita, Assistant Professor of MPPM Program at Monash University, Indonesia, public policy is the government-sanctioned view and course of action for addressing the society’s problems. For example, Law no. 7 of 1984 on Ratification of the Convention on The Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women can be considered as the Indonesian government’s views on discrimination including violence against women, that have aligned with all the other nation states which ratified the Convention.
The establishment of Law no. 7 of 1984 is one of the several courses of policy action which the Indonesian government took, as a consequence of signing the United Nations’ 1979 Convention on 29 July 1980. Notice the gap years between signage and ratification–the process of launching a public policy may vary from just a few days to decades.
Public policy has budgetary, normative, and corrective implications. In other words, public policy is essentially the government’s tool for:
- funding, delivering and managing services to and infrastructure for all citizens,
- mitigating societal inequalities, and
- disciplining any citizens who violate legitimate rules.
That said, Indonesia’s Law no. 7 of 1984 has enabled the establishment of other policies, funding, and programs to prevent and redress cases of violence against women. Policymakers, advocates and citizens resort to the law to pursue further initiatives at enforcing it and promoting actions that eliminate all forms of violence against women, in various levels of government and within the society.
Why does public policy matter?
First and foremost, public policy matters because it represents the policymakers’ views of addressing societal and global challenges. A public policy demonstrates the government’s framework for addressing complex challenges such as poverty, environmental degradation, public health crises, and intersectional inequalities. By caring about public policy, we can advocate for policies that address these challenges effectively and equitably.
Second, public policy regulates the behaviour of citizens and organisations. Public policies set not only the expectations for citizens on how to respect the rights of other living beings, but also the boundaries for organisations that can have significant socioeconomic impacts on citizens. For public policies to be deemed legitimate and effective, they must demonstrate the consequences for citizens who violate the set expectations and for organisations that breach boundaries. Caring about public policy, therefore, can improve the enforcement of public policy and government accountability.
Third, public policy enables opportunities for change or reforms. Public policy calls for citizens to collectively act together for the common good, political order, and social progress, despite different backgrounds and beliefs. It also aims to ignite citizens’ trust in the government and its institutions including the decision-making processes that led to the enactment of a public policy. Hence, by caring about public policy, we can shape the future direction of the environments that we live in, work, and interact.
About the Master of Public Policy and Management program
Monash University, Indonesia offers the Master of Public Policy and Management (MPPM) program that equips students with the practical knowledge and skills in policy-making, policy analysis, and public management. It encompasses various aspects of the public sector and aims to enhance understanding of policy formulation, implementation, and delivery of public services.
Our MPPM program is designed specifically for Indonesia, leveraging Monash's renowned expertise in public policy education. Its goal is to train future leaders, practitioners, and scholars who are passionate about addressing policy-related challenges and opportunities in Indonesia. For more information visit our Master Degree page for the admission process.