What defines public policy?

Public policy refers to the fundamental principles and guidelines that shape laws and regulations enacted by governments to address societal issues and promote the public good. It encompasses the overarching goals and values that influence legislative frameworks, decisions, and actions taken by governmental bodies. By focusing on the foundational set of policies, option B captures the essence of public policy as it reflects the intentions and objectives that guide the creation of specific laws and regulations.

The other choices illustrate narrower aspects of governance or organizational behavior that do not fully encompass the broader concept of public policy. A specific law enacted by Congress represents merely one application of public policy rather than the policy itself. Regulations created by state governments also denote specific actions rather than the guiding principles behind them. Similarly, corporate policies pertain to private entities and their operational standards rather than public governmental frameworks, thereby distinguishing them from the concept of public policy as it applies to society at large.