Many people think policy changes are difficult and time-consuming, but they are a key way to create lasting social change. They can come from above, as official government policies translated into laws and regulations, or they can originate at the grass roots, in workplaces or unions or social groups. The process of changing policies can seem discouraging, but with persistence and dedication, it is possible to make the world a better place.
Unofficial policies may have a powerful, though often unacknowledged, influence over official policymaking. For example, the often unofficial understanding that women and minorities can only advance so far in the business world, or the underlying assumption that racial discrimination is acceptable, may be major obstacles to change that must be addressed before sweeping policy changes can be implemented.
Economic shifts in boom or bust have a significant impact on policy direction, as do changes in political leadership and ideological beliefs. New research and empirical data can also lead to large policy reforms, especially if it challenges previously held assumptions and offers viable alternatives.
Getting to know current policies, laws and regulations inside out can be an important first step toward bringing about policy change. This includes knowing how they affect your community, who makes or influences them and how the policy was created. Communities and organizations that work closely with the issue are ideal groups to lead a policy-change campaign, as they have both the credibility of being directly affected by the policies and the technical knowledge (statistics, study results, etc.) and the human insight needed to discuss issues of importance.
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