Policy changes are often difficult and time-consuming, and they may seem discouraging at times. But persistence and good communication can make a difference. There are many different tactics that can be used to try to realize the goal of changing policies for the benefit of your community.
One important thing to remember is that policies usually grow out of people’s basic assumptions about the world – things that they think are just the way the world is. These assumptions aren’t always stated and formalized, but they play a huge part in official policymaking and in how laws and regulations are implemented. The “glass ceiling” that kept women and minorities from advancing into top management positions, for example, was unofficial policy that was deeply rooted in the assumption that women and minority members were inferior to men and whites.
Changes in official policy are frequently brought about by pressure from citizens. This pressure may be directed at the actual lawmaking process, or it may target specific laws or the implementation of existing laws. The latter includes how laws are enforced – whether they are enforced strictly, leniently or not at all.
When it comes to trying to bring about policy change, positivism (the old adage, “You can catch more flies with honey than vinegar”) is generally better than negativity. Emphasizing positive aspects of a proposed policy, such as incentives (tax breaks) rather than punishment (special taxes), is another way to accentuate the positive.