public policy

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.

• noun The public interest or public good as expressed in principles that guide the interpretation and enforcement of the law.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

• noun law The set of policies (laws, plans, actions, behaviors) of a government; plans and methods of action that govern that society; a system of laws, courses of action, and priorities directing a government action.