Dr. Lowi stresses four types of policy. These include distributive, redistributive, regulatory, and self-regulatory. Distributive policies can be viewed as policies that provide benefits, with more concern over the share of revenues rather than the legislation. Redistributive policies also provide benefits, but someone is also going to lose benefits. There is more conflict and concern over the legislation because no one wants to lose any benefit they may have.
Regulatory policies regulate the behavior of specific groups.
It is harder to calculate the costs and losses incurred by regulation so there is greater conflict and concern over legislation. Self-regulatory policies also regulate behavior of a group. However, it is considered beneficial because the participants have more of a say in the process. This would involve groups such as the American Medical Association or the American Bar Association. This article shows that it is hard to define what policy is.