ABSTRACT
As we discussed in chapter 1, public policymaking takes place when people with authority make decisions or commitments on important public questions. The effect of those decisions may or may not disrupt the status quo, depending upon the extent of change connected with the decision. Thus, if a city council decides to establish a needle exchange program for drug addicts to discourage the spread of infectious diseases, its policy decision will be important for the immediate area; for the addicts who frequent the area; for people who live and work nearby; and for physicians and hospital personnel, police, and others with an interest in the policy. Conversely, if the same city council decides to leave the troubled area as is, the decision to do “nothing” will still impact all of the aforementioned groups, although in a different way.
