politikudkast

Politikudkast is a draft document used in the development of public policy in Danish and Norwegian contexts. It outlines the problem to be addressed, policy objectives, available options, the preferred option with its justification, and the proposed implementation steps. The term signals a stage in policy making prior to final adoption, and it is often translated as policy draft in English.

Process and circulation: A politikudkast is typically produced by a government ministry, agency, or political body and is subjected to internal review and stakeholder consultation. It may be accompanied by impact assessments, cost estimates, and legal considerations. Public or parliamentary consultations, committee hearings, or expert reviews may be invited, and the draft is revised accordingly. The outcome is usually a formal policy proposal, a white paper, or a draft law.

Content and form: Common elements include problem statement, policy objectives, rationale, policy options (including a do-nothing option), implementation plan, governance, budget and financing, monitoring indicators, and risk analysis. The format varies by jurisdiction and institution, but the politikudkast generally emphasizes the rationale for the chosen option and the steps needed to implement it.

Context and use: Politikudkast is used at national and regional levels as part of the policy development cycle, as well as within international organizations or large organizations developing internal policies. It also appears in corporate governance contexts as a draft policy document.

Relation to other terms: It is distinct from a policy paper, which focuses on analysis and recommendations, and from a policy proposal, which may be the formal instrument for adoption. The politikudkast represents a provisional, negotiable artefact rather than a final decision.