What are the main stages of the public policy process?

The correct answer encompasses the comprehensive framework through which public policy is developed and implemented. The stages of the public policy process are essential to understanding how government addresses societal issues and encompasses several critical steps.

Agenda setting is the first stage, where issues are identified and prioritized for public attention. This is followed by policy formulation, which involves developing specific proposals to address the issues identified. After formulation, policy adoption occurs, where the proposals are officially accepted and become part of the policy framework, typically through legislative processes.

Once a policy is adopted, the next stage is implementation, where the policy is put into action through various operational mechanisms. Finally, policy evaluation involves assessing the effectiveness and impacts of the policy, ensuring it meets its intended goals and identifying areas for improvement.

This structured sequence is crucial for effective governance, as it allows policymakers to create, assess, and refine public policies systematically. The other options, while they may touch on relevant aspects of the public policy process, do not capture the full range of stages in a clear and systematic manner as outlined in the correct answer. They might focus on narrower components or specific activities that do not reflect the comprehensive nature of the policy cycle.