10 Public Policies that have Changed History

Introduction

When it comes to creating change, public policies are often the first line of action governments take. Policies, ranging from healthcare and education reforms to social welfare programs and environmental protection policies, have made a significant impact on the trajectories of countries, states, cities, and individuals alike. In this article, we explore 10 public policies that have transformed various aspects of society, both past and present.

The New Deal (USA, 1933)

One of the most notable public policies in U.S. history, the New Deal set the standard for changing the trajectory of societies for the better. Passed in the wake of the Great Depression, the New Deal provided relief, recovery, and reform to American society, creating millions of jobs and addressing poverty, unemployment, and economic inequality that were crippling the nation.

Bismarck’s Social Insurance (Germany, 1883)

Bismarck’s Social Insurance acted as a model for social welfare programs around the world. It was the first policy to create a mandatory, national health insurance system that provided for retirement, disability, and medical benefits. The program aimed to provide the working class with basic protection against risks such as illness and injury.

Affordable Care Act (USA, 2010)

The Affordable Care Act – popularly known as Obamacare – is a fundamental policy that sought to provide health insurance to all Americans who couldn’t afford it. The act prohibits insurance companies from denying coverage for pre-existing conditions and offers subsidies to low-income individuals to afford insurance coverage.

Central Park Act (USA, 1853)

Central Park Act was created on the initiative of the poet William Cullen Bryant that pushed for the creation of public parks in crowded cities like New York. Central Park became the first landscaped public park in North America and was one of the first attempts to create a vast public gathering area in the heart of a city.

Oregon Short-Term Rental Law (USA, 2019)

The Oregon short-term rental law was an example of creative regulation when lawmakers form rules to overcome a particular field’s complications. The policy sets up a regulatory definition for home-sharing providers, ramping up health and safety for hosts and guests while also forcing bigger property complexes to abide by the same regulations.

Land Use Planning Act (Japan, 1968)

Land-use laws help Japan strike a balance among rural and industrial expansions. For many years now, Japan has managed growth with the help of a vigorous land-use plan at both the national and community levels. Such substantial standards are instrumental in solving parallel issues such as expanding metropolitan areas while keeping up their supportable multiplicity.

California’s Carbon Cap & Trade System (2013)

Governor Brown realized that policymakers needed to pay attention — and change. In the field of environment policymaking circumstances and effects tend to exist with separate space-time though cap-and-trade rules created in California in 2013 snapped this paradigm. The plan successfully worked to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, creating a competitive context while also pushing for continued growth.

Mao’s Great Leap Forward (China, 1958)

The Great Leap Forward, Chan is mega-campaign, lasted from 1958 to 1962, aimed to modernize China and revolutionize every aspect of its society. Although it witnessed there tremendously trying memories that were absolutely avoidable. These horrors still conducted somber memories; the party recognized the civilian death toll 15 years ago as surpassing 20,000.

Marriage Equality Act (USA, 2015)

The seventeenth policy is the nationwide legalization of gay marriage, which is historically significant because it establishes a constitutional entry-size marriage that marked a symbolic breakthrough for many gay couples.

Emancipation Proclamation (USA, 1863)

Lastly, it is, and definitely, it must be none other than the Emancipation Proclamation—the foundational policy that declared that all enslaved persons were officially free in particular in rebellious states that came almost two backflips from the Commanding & General President Woodrow Wilson during the United states Civil War.

Conclusion

In conclusion, public policies have made incredible achievements and progressions globally all these policies have a different perception among people, but, the effort behind each policy is to reduce awful circumstances and complete a country’s limitations. But, Overall, seeing the perks of the policies, policies still reserve an unfinished business to help and acknowledge everyone to attain a sustainable society moving towards productive change-making social and personality overhaul work that benefits humankind.