ABSTRACT
This chapter considers public policy to be plans for acting in the public interest. It explores the various views of public policy, how it comes about, who makes it in general, and the place of the president and presidential advisory commissions in the overall process. Perhaps the definition of public policy as plans for acting in the public interest can be considered a viable one. The lack of public policy can be as significant as the existence of policy. One assumes that public policy is conscientiously made and that lack of policy or lack of successful policy implementation brings about the search for new and better policy. Numerous studies have indicated that the president is the major initiator of public policy and that the presidential influence upon acquisitive actions and implementai actions is considerably greater than the powers exercised by the Congress through appropriations.
