The language
used
to
discuss
public policy
can
be
confusing.
Analysts,
policymakers,
and
commentators
sometimes
speak
without
much
clarity
about
intentions
(the purposes
of
government
action);
goals
(the stated
ends
to
be
achieved);
plans
or
proposals
(the means
for
achieving
goals);
programs
(the authorized
means
for
pursuing
goals);
and
decisions
or
choices-that
is,
specific
actions
that
are
taken
to
set
goals,
develop
plans,
and
implement
programs
(Jones 1984).
These
elements
of
public
policy
can
be
found
in
many
different
legal
expressions
such as
laws,
executive
orders,
regulations,
and
judicial
rulings.
They
also
can
be
seen
in
the way
that
policymakers,
such as
presidents,
governors,
or
legislators,
describe
how
they
view
public
policy
in
any
given
area.
Both
the legal statements
and
the actions
of
policymakers
can
define
what
public policy
is
at
any
given
time.
We
find
it
useful
as
well
to
distinguish
between
policy outputs
(the formal
actions
that
governments
take
to
pursue
their
goals)
and
policy outcome
(the effects
such
actions
actually
have
on
society).