Question

Which of the following is not an official actor of public policy?

• A. Political parties
• B. Judiciary
• C. Administrators
• D. Executive

Hint:

To distinguish them, ask: "Does this entity have a legal/constitutional mandate to create or implement law directly?"
If the answer is no, they are non-official.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Policy actors are divided into two categories: official and non-official.
Official actors are those whose roles and powers are established by law or the constitution.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Official Actors include the branches of government that have legal authority to make or implement policy:
- Legislature: Makes the laws.
- Executive: Sets the policy agenda and initiates bills.
- Judiciary (Option B): Interprets laws and can modify policy through judicial review.
- Administrators/Bureaucracy (Option C): Implement policies and exercise delegated legislation.
Non-official (or Informal) Actors include those who influence the process but lack legal authority to enact policy:
- Political Parties (Option A): They mobilize voters and influence agendas but are not formal organs of the state in a legal sense.
- Interest Groups, Media, and Individual Citizens are also non-official actors.
Step 3: Final Answer:
Political parties are non-official actors in the public policy process.