One Word : Many References
POLICY
Below are some of the ways that the term «policy» is used. None of them is the formal name used in THEE.
Important!! These ultra-brief examples may mislead. The reader must imagine correctly what is in the mind of those articulating &/or hearing the italicised statements. Function is not to be found in a verbal example, but in what those words mean for the individual(s) responsible—you can find that out by politely asking and observing. Nevertheless the form of each statement strongly points to a distinct function and hence variety of purpose.
The examples are ordered to reveal the .
Alternative References
#A: “Our policy is justice for all.”
Proposed label:
Some alternative labels found in practice and in the literature:
inspirational value, meta-value, being value, ideal.
Functional reference: A universally accepted and eternally pursued state of being.
#B: “Our policy is pure capitalism.”
Proposed label:
Some alternative labels found in practice and in the literature:
theory, doctrine, paradigm, principle, idea.
Functional reference: Inter-linked valued ideas ordering understanding within a social domain.
#C: “Our policy is to encourage initiative.”
Proposed label:
Some alternative labels found in practice and in the literature:
value, social goal, banner goal, ideal, need.
Functional reference: A freely-shared need-based value serving a specific community.
#D: “Our policy is to provide pre-school education services.”
Proposed label:
Some alternative labels found in practice and in the literature:
function, terms of reference, primary task, brief, mandate.
Functional reference: An activity defining the identity of an endeavour.
#E: “Our policy is to emphasize safety”
Proposed label:
Some alternative labels found in practice and in the literature:
criterion, political aim, emphasis, focus, reason, preference
Functional reference: A degree of emphasis among valid values or actions for immediate use.
#F: “Our policy is to establish a performance evaluation system over the next 2 years .”
Proposed label:
Some alternative labels found in practice and in the literature:
option, outcome, choice, deliverable, plan, direction, result.
Functional reference: A desired and feasible outcome which maximizes impact.
#G: “Our policy is to launch the new brand in precisely 2 weeks.”
Proposed label:
Some alternative labels found in practice and literature:
task, target, activity, operational objective, tactic.
Functional reference: A precise, tangible, time-targeted result which is a step to a desired outcome.
There are many other ways that the label policy has been used in practice. In THEE, the name is formally reserved for a compound purposive entity as shown below:
A () is a combination of and an . This correspondence has been approved as reasonable and helpful in discussions with both politicians and top executives responsible for policies. Not any and can be cobbled together: certain qualities (e.g. as shown on left of the graphic) are required to enable practicality and usefulness.
Originally posted: August 2009; Last updated 21-May-2010.