Policy changes occur throughout society, driven by inventive breakthroughs, global developments, and societies’ evolving needs. Policy-makers attempt to understand, foresee, and steer this process of change.
Economic shifts heavily influence policy changes by dictating policies that stimulate growth or protect domestic industries. Changes in leadership and ideological beliefs can also significantly alter policy direction, with new priorities and views dictating new directions.
Public opinion can also trigger a need for policy change, when it becomes clear that the current approach isn’t working. A failure to respond to a drug crisis, for example, may result in a loss of funding and a need to try alternative approaches. New information can also spark policy change, when it changes perceptions about an issue – for example, a study showing that certain methods don’t work or exposing that an entity is behaving unethically or illegally.
It’s important for individuals and groups who want to push for policy changes to work together. A group can provide a greater pool of ideas, and will have more credibility than a single person. They can also be more effective at promoting their cause, making it easier to find allies, funders, and potential policy makers. Having a team of people to divide up the workload will also help them stay motivated, and ensure that the campaign is staffed properly and has a strong presence in the community. Keeping the campaign high profile, through both media coverage and local activities, can also be an important factor in pushing for policy change.