Government, Public Policy, and Sustainable Business

Read this chapter to find out more about the interplay between individuals, organizations, and governments in shaping public policy.

How are policies influenced? What factors affect the policy-making process? How does public policy affect innovation and sustainability practices?

Exercises

  1. What could US government agencies have done to prevent the BP oil spill? What government policy options were available and what would be the benefits and problems associated with different approaches (e.g., bans, quotas, regulations)?
  2. In what ways can businesses, such as BP and other companies, benefit from government policies?
  3. In what ways can businesses be harmed and progress on sustainability be limited by government?
  4. Can progress on sustainability be achieved without government? Can it be achieved without businesses?