What is the ultimate goal of the policy-making process?

Correct answer: Public welfare and good governance

Direct answer: A is correct. Public policy is made to identify public problems and respond to people’s needs through lawful and accountable government action. The final goal is public welfare together with good governance: services should be useful, decisions should be fair, resources should be used responsibly, and institutions should remain answerable to citizens. A is correct because it expresses the public-interest purpose of policy-making. B is wrong because increasing government power is not an end in itself; government authority must be used for constitutional and public purposes. C is wrong because disputes may occur during debate, but creating conflict is not the aim. D is wrong because publicity may explain a policy, but promotion is not its ultimate purpose. A good policy is judged by the benefits and protection it provides to people, not by how much attention the government receives. Memory cue: public policy should serve the public, not merely the government’s image.