Policy changes are the result of events or actions that alter public perceptions about an issue. For example, new research that proves existing methods are not working, or the discovery that a business is behaving illegally or unethically, might lead to more stringent laws to govern that industry. Other factors can also affect policy change, including the availability of new technologies that increase access to information and enable more rapid changes in public opinion.
Changing policy is difficult and time-consuming, but it can be done if you have the right tactics and persistence. These include: Preparation, including doing all the necessary research and becoming an expert on the policies at issue. Getting the pulse of the community: Knowing what citizens will accept and where to start in persuading them to change. Positivism: Emphasizing the positive aspects of your proposed policy change (as in the old adage, “You can catch more flies with honey than with vinegar”). Participation: Involving the community in your efforts.
Harmful policies can have repercussions not only in the country where they are implemented, but also in other countries as well. For instance, the closure of humanitarian parole programs for asylum seekers could lead to increased illegal migration. This is why understanding the context of a policy is important to predicting its effects and changing it.
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