This entry is a companion to Executive Departments and Agencies.
Using the establishment of executive agencies as a guideline, this is a look at the areas of public policy dealt with by the national government. Recall that by the time the national government was created, state and local governments had already been established. Some had been around for a long time. Many cities were over 150 years old and had experience with the types of policies common to local areas, as well as individual citizens.
As we know from our look at the perceived deficiencies of the Articles of Confederation and other related documents, the national government was established to focus on policies which helped bind the nation together both economically and militarily. We also know that over time, the functions of the national government have expanded.
Here's a look at these areas of policy dated according to when each was established in an executive department.
Diplomatic Policy - July 27, 1789 - The Department of State.
- Non-interventionism.
- Isolationism.
- Unilateralism.
- Multilateralism.
- Hegemony.
Defense Policy - August 7, 1789 / September 18, 1947 - Department of Defense.
- Monroe Doctrine.
- National Security Act of 1947,
- Cold War.
- Containment.
- Great Powers.
- Superpower.
- Military budget of the United States.
Economic Policy - September 7, 1789 - The Department of the Treasury
- Fiscal policy.
- Monetary Policy.
- Protectionism.
- Free Trade.
- Tax Policy.
Communications Policy - February 20, 1792 -The United States Post Office Department.
- Post Offices.
- Post Roads.
Land Management Policy - March 3, 1849 - The Department of the Interior.
- Land Ordinance of 1785.
- Bureau of Land Management.
- Public Land Survey System.
- Bureau of Indian Affairs.
Agriculture Policy - May 15, 1862 - The Department of Agriculture.
- Food and Nutrition Service.
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.
- National School Lunch Act.
- Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children.
Criminal Justice Policy - July 1, 1870 - The Department of Justice.
Business and Industrial Policy - February 14, 1903 / March 4, 1913 - The Department of Commerce.
Labor Policy - February 14, 1903 - / March 4, 1913 - Department of Labor.
Health Policy - April 11, 1953 / October 17, 1979
Welfare Policy - April 11, 1953 / October 17, 1979
Education Policy - April 11, 1953 / October 17, 1979
Housing Policy - September 9, 1965 - Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Transportation Policy - April 1, 1967 - Department of Transportation
Energy Policy - August 4, 1977 - Department of Energy
Veterans Policy - March 15, 1989 - Department of Veterans Affairs
Homeland Security Policy - November 25, 2002 - Department of Homeland Security
