While reaching a consensus on one definition of public policy has proved impossible,
all the variants of the definition suggest that public policy making is public—it
affects a greater variety of people and interests than do private decisions. This is why
government and the policies made by government are sometimes so controversial,
frustrating, and at the same time very important. But because the public is the source
of political authority—that is, the authority to act on the public’s behalf—it is clear
that government is at the center of efforts to make public policy.