State policy is an activity of the state aimed at managing society, ensuring public order, and developing the economy and social sphere. It performs a wide range of functions that ensure the stability and development of the state.
Regulatory function.
The regulatory function of public policy consists in the development and application of normative legal acts regulating various spheres of public life. It includes the establishment and observance of legal norms, the establishment of rules for conducting economic activities, the regulation of labor relations, and the control of public order.
Distribution function.
State policy redistributes resources in society, ensuring a balance of interests of different social groups. This function includes рallocating budget funds, supporting socially vulnerable segments of the population, developing infrastructure and public goods, and regulating tax policy.
Social function.
The State is obliged to ensure a decent standard of living for citizens, which includes the development of the health system, support for education and science, social guarantees and pensions, protection of human and civil rights, and much more.
Economic function.
State policy is aimed at ensuring sustainable economic growth and development of the national economy. The main areas of this function рare market and business regulation, investment policy, support for small and medium-sized businesses, and monitoring of inflation and employment.
Political function.
State policy forms and supports the political system, ensuring the functioning of government institutions. Key aspects includes shaping and implementing state ideology, organizing electoral processes, engaging with civil society, and ensuring political stability.
Environmental function.
Modern states are increasingly paying attention to environmental issues. State policy in this area is aimed at зprotecting natural resources, developing alternative energy sources, regulating environmental standards by law, and monitoring the state of the environment.
Innovative and scientific function.
Support for scientific research and technological progress is important for the development of the state. State policy includes financing of scientific developments, development of innovative clusters, cooperation with international research centers, and introduction of modern technologies into the economy and industry.
The functions of state policy are multifaceted and are aimed at ensuring the stable development of the state and society. They cover the political, economic, social and environmental spheres, creating conditions for the well-being of citizens. The effectiveness of their implementation depends on the quality of public administration, the legislative framework, and the level of interaction between the authorities and society.
Public policy is implemented at different levels, each of which has its own specifics, tools and management mechanisms.
International level.
Public policy at the international level encompasses diplomatic relations, international agreements, and participation in global institutions. The main directions include national policiesу and international relations, participation in international organizations (UN, WTO, IMF, EEU, SCO, etc.), global political strategies, international economic agreements, regulation of cross-border challenges (ecology, migration, security).
National (central) level.
National policy forms the main vectors of the country's development, establishes the legal framework and determines strategic priorities. The most important aspects of this level are: constitutional principles and legislative regulation, economic policy (budget, taxes, investment), social policy (education, health, social security), internal security and law, гand order, public administration and bureaucracy reform.
Regional level.
Regional policy is aimed at managing the socio-economic development of the subjects of the state. The main directions include centralization and transfer ofу powers to the regions, regional economic development and investment policy, support for local businesses and infrastructure projects, social policiesу in the regions, and cooperation between regional authorities and central authorities.
Local (municipal) level.
Local policy is focused on solving the problems of the local population and developing territorial self-government. Main aspects: гurban development policy and improvement, local taxes and budgets, development of public utilities and infrastructure, organization and health care at the local level, the participation of citizens in local self-government.
Effective public policy requires coordinated interaction between all levels of government. The main mechanisms of interaction include:
- legislative regulation and subordination of powers. In Kazakhstan, the distribution of powers between national, regional and local authorities is enshrined in the Constitution and regulated by relevant laws;
- programs of inter-level cooperation. For example, Kazakhstan implements the programs «Business Roadmap», «Regional Development» and «Auyl-El Besigi» aimed at the socio-economic development of the regions;
- financial transfers and subsidies. Budget regulation in Kazakhstan includes inter-budget transfers from the national budget to the regions aimed at equalizing socio-economic development and supporting strategic initiatives;
- local projects and initiatives. For example, infrastructure development under the Nurly Zhol program is implemented with the participation of both central and regional authorities.
- coordination bodies and councils. Kazakhstan has the Assembly of People of Kazakhstan, as well as various advisory and coordination councils under municipal administrations, which ensure interaction between the levels of government and civil society.
Thus, state policy frameworks are a complex system that ensures the sustainable development of the state and society. Their coordinated functioning makes it possible to solve national and regional problems, taking into account the interests of citizens and the state as a whole. It is important that each level of policy is supported by effective management and control tools that ensure the implementation of strategic goals.