public policy

American  

[puhb-lik pol-uh-see] / ˈpʌb lɪk ˈpɒl ə si /

noun

1. 1. the body of laws and other measures that affect the general public.

      These officeholders are creating public policy on important issues including affordable housing and the environment.

   2. the underlying principles, values, or objectives that inform these laws and other measures: In a secular state, no religion can become the basis of public policy.

      The Institute participates in shaping public debate and public policy through inquiry and dialogue.

      In a secular state, no religion can become the basis of public policy.

2. Law. the principle that injury to the public good or public order constitutes a basis for declaring an act or transaction illegal or invalid.

   The principle of public policy requires that we judge the tendency of the contract at the time when it was entered into.

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Etymology

Origin of public policy

First recorded in 1775–85

Example Sentences

“While falling energy prices and improved crop supply should help ease some cost pressures, increased public policy costs and regulation will likely keep inflation sticky,” BRC Chief Executive Officer Helen Dickinson said.

From The Wall Street Journal

“It would be a good strategic asset to have to be able to sell some extra heavy oil in the U.S’s market,” said Francisco Monaldi, director of the Latin America Energy Program at Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy.

From The Wall Street Journal

But the contraceptives tax is trivial compared to the true cost of raising a child in China, one of the world's most expensive countries for child-rearing, said Alfred Wu, associate professor at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy in Singapore.

From Barron's

"He'll put all of his political and other might behind getting these things accomplished," said Patrick Egan, a professor of politics and public policy at New York University.

From BBC

Mr. Carswell runs the Mississippi Center for Public Policy, a think tank in Jackson, the state capital.

From The Wall Street Journal