Public policy is formulated by the input of many different groups, all of whom believe a particular issue warrants attention. From the average citizen to famous lobbyists, various actors play a role in policy formulation. Actors who support public policy issues compete for the attention of legislators. These legislators decide which policy issues make it on to the legislative agenda. Actors with the best tactics and strategies are more successful in drawing attention to their causes than those who lack strategy. Actors, both individuals and groups, have the ability to impact the formulation, debate, and implementation of public policies. Through interaction and collaboration, actors work in different ways to achieve the same goal-to have their issue added to the legislative agenda.

Briefly describe the issue you selected or the one you used in the Discussion.

Identify two unofficial actors and explain their roles in mobilizing support for the issue.

Explain how the unofficial actors might interact with one another and with other actors (such as government agencies) to influence the formulation of a public policy based on the selected issue.

Explain the nature of these interactions and how they might work to advance the policy issue.