A policy is a course of action promoted and supported by a governing body. The term is distinct from politics (though it is often intertwined with it), and from administration, which focuses on the day-to-day management of policies.
Government policy is a broad domain that includes both the laws passed by a legislature and the rules implemented by a regulatory agency. It encompasses everything from regulating the amount of time a parent can spend with their children to the rules that govern how a museum should handle its collections.
Public policies are created and implemented through a complex process that involves numerous individuals, corporations, non-profit organizations and interest groups. As a result, a politician’s decision to create a specific policy is rarely the result of his or her own will but rather reflects the goals of a particular constituency. This can lead to the failure of a policy because it may not be effective in achieving its goals.
This is particularly true when a policy is formulated in response to a perceived crisis. For example, the development of a new immigration policy is a highly contentious issue because it requires a significant level of political skill to formulate a response that will be broadly acceptable and politically feasible.
The affirmative team can also make arguments defending the importance of Presidential authority. This allows debaters to focus on the role of the executive branch in areas such as nuclear deterrence, proliferation, and terrorism.