metapolicy

Metapolicy is a term used in public administration and political science to describe a framework for policymaking itself. It concerns the governance of the policy process—how policies are designed, chosen, implemented, evaluated, and revised—rather than the substantive content of individual policies.

A metapolicy specifies guiding principles, governance arrangements, and methodological standards that shape policy decisions. Core elements often include transparency, inclusivity, accountability, precaution, and adaptability; defined decision roles, procedures for resolving disputes, and mechanisms for citizen or stakeholder input; and requirements for evidence, cost-benefit analysis, impact assessment, and regular evaluation. Metapolicy may also prescribe tools such as sunset clauses, scheduled reviews, and performance reporting to ensure policy relevance over time.

Metapolicy can be adopted at multiple levels, including national and subnational governments, international organizations, and large public or private institutions. It is closely related to the broader concept of meta-governance—the governance of governance—by aiming to make the policy process more coherent, legitimate, and responsive. While metapolicy governs how policy is made, it does not prescribe the specific goals or content of policies themselves.

Challenges in implementing metapolicy include balancing competing values and interests, ensuring adequate resources, overcoming political resistance, and keeping the framework appropriate amid rapid social, economic, and technological change. Proponents argue that clear metapolicy improves transparency, accountability, and the overall quality of public policy by making the policymaking process more explicit and governed.