Bachelor of General Studies (BGS) Degree Practice Exam

Which of the following is NOT typically considered a tool of public policy?

1. Incentives

2. Penalties

3. Public protests

4. Regulations

The correct answer is: Public protests

Public protests are generally not considered a formal tool of public policy. Public policy tools typically include mechanisms that governments or governing bodies use to implement policies and achieve desired outcomes, such as incentives, penalties, and regulations. Incentives are often used to encourage certain behaviors among individuals or organizations, such as tax breaks or subsidies that promote certain industries or practices. Penalties, on the other hand, are imposed to discourage undesirable behavior, such as fines or sanctions for non-compliance with rules. Regulations serve as formal guidelines or rules that govern behavior and ensure compliance across various sectors. Public protests, while they can significantly influence public policy by raising awareness and pushing for change, are more of a grassroots expression of opinion rather than a structured tool employed by policymakers to implement or enforce public policy. They reflect the public's response to existing policies and can lead to changes, but they do not directly constitute an official or structured tool of policy implementation.