Introduction: Primacy of Public Policy

Public policiesPublic policies play a pivotal role in shaping the future of the country. The chapter emphasizes the primacy of public policyPublic policies. Despite vast resources, the rising problems raise questions about—what it will take to bring a significant difference in the lives of citizens. While covering the study of the evolutionEvolution of policy theoriesPolicy theory, it broadly covers policy sciencesPolicy sciences, policy analysisPolicy analysis, system approachSystem approach, complexity theoryComplexity theory, evidence-basedEvidence-based approach, complexityComplexity economics, and behavioral approachBehavioral approach. It highlights how the twenty-first century challengesTwenty-first-century challenges in the form of significant socio-economic trends, globalizationGlobalization, climate changeClimate change, and sustainable development will determine the future of the world. Advanced technologies and an interconnectedInterconnected world are transforming the world. Such changesChange result in a marked increase in complexityComplexity in the social systemSystem and economyEconomy. It underscores a need for a cogent policymaking processPolicymaking process and sound implementationImplementation mechanism to achieve intended objectives while addressing complexityComplexity. It lays stress on innovationInnovation and institutionalInstitutional development as a determinant of success.