Final answer:
Public policy is the broad strategy and rule set that governments use to address matters of concern to society. It involves considerable debate, compromise, and refinement and is enforced by the state.
Step-by-step explanation:
Public policy is the broad strategy government uses to do its job, the relatively stable set of purposive governmental behaviors that address matters of concern to some part of society. Most policy outcomes are the result of considerable debate, compromise, and refinement that happen over years and are finalized only after input from multiple institutions within government. For example, health care reform was developed after years of analysis, reflection on existing policy, and even trial implementation at the state level.
In summary, public policy refers to the reasonable steps taken by people or organizations to meet the obligations imposed by laws or regulations. It is a rule that mandates or prohibits certain behavior and is enforced by the state. It is also a process that involves the interplay of various parties and the implementation of specific programs to address societal concerns.