Public policy making is a very dynamic and complex phenomenon consisting of
numerous decisions made by a great number of individuals and organizations.
Given the complexity of the task, most people emphasize only a limited range of
factors, even if they recognize the general need for a holistic approach encompassing
the entire range ofpossible variables affecting governmental decision making. Some
literature examines the nature of the political regime-political system. Another
direction, which many theorists have taken, is to search for causal variables in public
policy making. Yet another literature focuses on policy including content, impact,
outcomes and so on. Though various contemporary theories look at policy making
from different perspectives, they can in one way or another help us gain a better
understanding on the dynamic process ofpublic policy making.