Which statement about the public policy process is FALSE?

Which statement about the public policy process is FALSE?

• A. The cycle begins with agenda setting.
• B. The cycle ends with feedback and possible policy revision.
• C. The cycle includes an implementation stage.
• D. The cycle excludes agenda setting.

Answer: (C)

Understanding how the public policy process unfolds helps explain why agenda setting is essential. In most models, the cycle starts by identifying issues that require government action and bringing them onto the policy agenda. After that, policy options are developed and analyzed, a decision or adoption is made, the chosen policy is implemented, and finally outcomes are evaluated, with feedback potentially leading to revisions. Because of this sequence, statements that the cycle begins with agenda setting and that it includes an implementation stage and ends with feedback and possible revision are all accurate. The statement that the cycle excludes agenda setting is not accurate, since agenda setting is the starting point of the process.

Understanding how the public policy process unfolds helps explain why agenda setting is essential. In most models, the cycle starts by identifying issues that require government action and bringing them onto the policy agenda. After that, policy options are developed and analyzed, a decision or adoption is made, the chosen policy is implemented, and finally outcomes are evaluated, with feedback potentially leading to revisions. Because of this sequence, statements that the cycle begins with agenda setting and that it includes an implementation stage and ends with feedback and possible revision are all accurate. The statement that the cycle excludes agenda setting is not accurate, since agenda setting is the starting point of the process.