Which of the following is a key focus of public policy analysis?

Assessing the impact of legislation on society is a fundamental aspect of public policy analysis. This focus is essential because public policies are created with the intention of addressing societal issues and improving the welfare of the public. Analysts evaluate the effectiveness and outcomes of laws and regulations to determine whether they meet their intended goals, such as enhancing public health, economic stability, or social equity. By investigating how legislation affects various demographic groups and sectors, public policy analysis helps inform future policy decisions and identify areas requiring reform or adjustment.

In contrast, designing public relations strategies does not directly pertain to the evaluation of legislation and its societal effects. Analyzing historical events can provide context for current policy debates but is not the primary function of policy analysis itself. Similarly, managing private sector responses while important, primarily concerns the relationship between the public and private sectors rather than the systematic assessment of public policies and their societal impacts.