does government influence social policy or do the public influence governments decisions on policy making?
966615
Once elected, the government can do what it like - and it will! There are very few examples, when the policies reflect some kind of political ideology, more examples of corruption and of politicians being tangled up in a spiderweb of favours and lots of cases, which demonstrate that in reality it's often the powerful bosses of the big companies, who dictate many of our policies.\n\nThe only time, when public pressure is of any importance at all, is directly before the elections. Very sad!
344270
attack by who? government or the people that they government claims.
741635
Top civil servants are very influential, governments often turn to them when they are in difficulty.  Think back to the glory days of "Yes Minister" and "Yes Prime minister" and Sir Humphrey and you'll understand my meaning.
328734
You mean, the relationship between a state (government) and the society governed?\n\nPlease post your question again, but with purpose and clarity.
119182
We need stronger control over the ones we have before we start to think about ever adding any new ones.  Government has entered into too many area's of our lives and we need to get this under control as well.  Good government does not mean controlling people through a series of government programs that set people up to fail rather than succede.  We have developed a whole set of people who have relied on the government for their support for several generations setting up a whole segment of our population that believes they have been set up to fail.  We have a society where everyone should have the same chances at success as all others do, yet part of our society has been set up for failure due to these programs.  While they are needed they should be set up to assist people rather than become a way of life.
828118
Centralised control over services... financial efficiencies.. simpler policy making.. easier for the public to understand etc etc etc
169010
Historically a majority of American's views of government roles have fallen within a relatively small area. This is evident in the fact that the Socialist Party nor the Libertarian Party have ever become major players on a national level. \n\nOur slow progression towards socialism certainly seems to indicate that we will inevitably take on all the characteristics of a socialist country, but I believe otherwise. Social welfare programs, such as Social Security, Medicare and the like, are inevitably doomed to abuse, mismanagement and failure. This is a result of the inherent ineffectiveness of such programs as well as the self intrests of bureaucrats (see public choice theory).  We are beginning to see just how poorly Social Security and Medicare have been managed. Either we will have to fundamentally change the programs to reduce spending or the government will have to raise taxes to very high levels to keep up with the costs. Increasing tax rates to the level that would be required would devastate the economy further decreasing tax revenues, with the only option being to change the programs to prevent total disaster. While some parts of the programs will remain, they will look more like a pseudo-socialism.\n\nAnother inhibiting factor is that divided government often slows growth of government. When one party controls one branch of government and the other party a different branch there is likely to be stalemate preventing any new programs from being launched. Some of the lowest periods of growth in new spending has been while there was divided government. It seems likely that backlash at Bush may cost the Republicans at least the Presidency, but it is less likely to lose control of Congress. If this balance can be preserved for some time, we are likely to see slower growth than that of Bush's presidency, who has increased spending more than any President since LBJ (even when you set aside defense spending).
291273
The best way to govern is to have an altruistic dictatorship.  Someone who decides what is best for the people with the people's well-being the only deciding factor in his or her mind.  Since it is a dictatorship, there would be no beauracracy to get in the way, either.
522419
both.  Politicians initially turn to the public and their interests to shape the groundwork for their arguements.  Then, as the politicans gain more power, they start manipulating the public's views into their own agenda, gradually making the public believe it's true (for instance, the republicans saw the growing evangelical movement, and started to incorporate religion into their speeches until, eventually the public believes that religion and politics are connected.  This in turn fuels the politicians' support of the evangelical movement, it's a cycle)
759147
Public opinion and influential groups are targets for neutralization particularly when their views on issues are against the government.
626956
In theory they are in charge of the various departments that make up the government.  Civil Servants do the work, Ministers make the decisions and then respond to the critisism in Parliament and through the media.\n\nIn practise most government ministers are not up to the job and end up wasting billions.  They 'hinder' rather than 'help' the government function.
7017
The public sector comprises the sub-sectors of general government (mainly central, state and local government units together with social security funds imposed and controlled by those units) as well as public corporations, ie corporations that are subject to control by government units (usually defined by the government owning the majority of shares).\n\nIn plain English the government and related agencies and organizations.
82169
Social research suggests that people make decisions partly based on their social location (age, class, ethnicity, etc).  Decisions are also shaped by cultural capital (that is-- the experiences we've been afforded due to our social location).\nI would say that race does affect decision, but not just because skin color may be different.  People tend to form frienships with others like themselves.  So if all your friends are wearing a certain brand t-shirt, you're more likely to go out and buy it, too.  \n\nThere are times when race and ethnicity are catalysts for decision-making.  Malcolm X comes immediately to mind.  He led black americans to embrace Islam and seek their roots in africa to separate themselves from white americans. In this case, I'd say that race was the primary factor in a decision.\nNow, for an everyday example:\nDeciding what type of car to buy-- Income level, what friends are driving, what you'll feel comfortable with (based on past experiences and the neighborhood you live in), etc. will all affect the decision.  Looking at it this way, it's easy to see how identity plays a part in our decisions.\n\nI think it's fascinating to look at at the world through a sociological lens.  --Hope some of this helps.
857860
Public Sector is government things eg...health, councils, education etc.\nPrivate sector is private businesses.
613698
Relations with important people in the public works in Government.
410177
Public policy is based on what (according to the general consensus) is good for most people, or for the community. Public policy is the driving force behind many laws. For example, speed limits and drivers licenses are based on the public policy of keeping the roads moderately safe. The confidentiality (privilege) for speaking with an attorney or priest or counselor is based on the public policy goal of people seeking help for their problems.\n\nEthics are the codes and rules that apply to a particular profession. Attorneys have ethical codes, including confidentiallity. Priests have ethical codes, based upon the morals of their religion. Evem business tycoons have ethical codes (or so rumor has it).\n\nWhere something is generally accepted as an ethical duty, such as attorneys or priests keeping confidences, and where that ethical duty is generally useful, that translates into a public policy favoring that ethical duty, which in turn usually gets enacted as some type of law.
309457
People are good. \nThe govt need to change its attitude.