Public affairs is a catch-all term that includes
public policy as well as
public administration[?], both of which are closely related to and draw upon the fields of
political science as well as
economics.
Public policy discussions are generally and consciously partisan, and we assume that participants in public policy discussion have a specific point of view which they seek to advance in the discussion.
Public affairs, on the other hand, generally claims to be non-partisan.
It focuses on providing news and information without a conscious point of view.
Social activism[?] involves popular action and commentary on public affairs, as well as civil defense, and community emergency response teams.
