Policy vs. Rule — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on October 6, 2023
A policy is a general guideline or principle for decision-making, while a rule is a specific prescription governing conduct or action.
Difference Between Policy and Rule
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
A policy often serves as a high-level guideline or strategy, outlining a general approach or direction. In contrast, a rule is more specific, usually indicating precisely what can or cannot be done.
While a policy might be broad, like a company's sustainability policy, a rule is more direct, like prohibiting employees from smoking in the office. Both aim to direct behavior, but the policy offers a larger perspective, while the rule stipulates a specific action.
Policies can be seen in various contexts, from governmental foreign policies to a school's anti-bullying policy. Rules, meanwhile, are omnipresent, ranging from traffic rules to game rules, setting clear boundaries.
Both policies and rules are essential for the smooth running of societies, organizations, or any group. A policy provides vision and direction, ensuring alignment with core values. A rule ensures that specific standards are met and behaviors are regulated.
While breaking a policy might lead to strategic misalignment or not achieving broader objectives, breaking a rule typically leads to immediate consequences or penalties, given its definitive nature.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
A broad guideline or principle.
A specific directive or standard.
Level of Specificity
General.
Precise.
Application
Used for strategic direction.
Used to set clear boundaries.
Consequence of Violation
Might lead to misalignment or inefficiency.
Typically results in immediate penalties.
Context of Use
Can be seen in government, organizations, schools, etc.
Ubiquitous, from traffic to games.
Compare with Definitions
Policy
A principle guiding decisions and actions.
The company's environmental policy emphasizes sustainability.
Rule
A prescribed guide for conduct or action.
The golden rule is to treat others as you'd like to be treated.
Policy
A course of action adopted by a group or individual.
Her policy on late assignments was quite strict.
Rule
Governing power or its possession or use; authority.
Policy
Policy is a deliberate system of principles to guide decisions and achieve rational outcomes. A policy is a statement of intent, and is implemented as a procedure or protocol.
Rule
The duration of such power.
Policy
A course or principle of action adopted or proposed by an organization or individual
It is not company policy to dispense with our older workers
The government's controversial economic policies
Rule
An authoritative, prescribed direction for conduct, especially one of the regulations governing procedure in a legislative body or a regulation observed by the players in a game, sport, or contest.
Policy
A contract of insurance
They took out a joint policy
Rule
The body of regulations prescribed by the founder of a religious order for governing the conduct of its members.
Policy
An illegal lottery or numbers game
He swore that he had never played policy in his life
Rule
A usual, customary, or generalized course of action or behavior
"The rule of life in the defense bar ordinarily is to go along and get along" (Scott Turow).
Policy
A plan or course of action, as of a government, political party, or business, intended to influence and determine decisions, actions, and other matters
American foreign policy.
The company's personnel policy.
Rule
A generalized statement that describes what is true in most or all cases
In this office, hard work is the rule, not the exception.
Policy
A course of action, guiding principle, or procedure considered expedient, prudent, or advantageous
Honesty is the best policy.
Rule
(Mathematics) A standard method or procedure for solving a class of problems.
Policy
Prudence, shrewdness, or sagacity in practical matters
It is never good policy to speak rashly.
Rule
A court decision serving as a precedent for subsequent cases
The Miranda rule.
Policy
A written contract or certificate of insurance.
Rule
A legal doctrine or principle.
Policy
A numbers game.
Rule
A court order.
Policy
A principle of behaviour, conduct etc. thought to be desirable or necessary, especially as formally expressed by a government or other authoritative body.
The Communist Party has a policy of returning power to the workers.
It's company policy that all mobile phones are forbidden in meetings.
Rule
A minor regulation or law.
Policy
Wise or advantageous conduct; prudence, formerly also with connotations of craftiness.
Rule
A statute or regulation governing the court process
Rule of procedure.
Rule of evidence.
Policy
Specifically, political shrewdness or (formerly) cunning; statecraft.
Rule
See ruler.
Policy
The grounds of a large country house.
Rule
(Printing) A thin metal strip of various widths and designs, used to print borders or lines, as between columns.
Policy
(obsolete) The art of governance; political science.
Rule
To exercise control, dominion, or direction over; govern
Rule a kingdom.
Policy
(obsolete) A state; a polity.
Rule
To have a powerful influence over; dominate
"Many found the lanky westerner naive, and supposed that he would be ruled by one of his more commanding cabinet officers" (William Marvel).
Policy
(obsolete) A set political system; civil administration.
Rule
To be a preeminent or dominant factor in
"It was a place where ... middle-class life was ruled by a hankering for all things foreign" (Amitav Ghosh).
Policy
(obsolete) A trick; a stratagem.
Rule
To decide or declare authoritatively or judicially; decree
The judges ruled that the answer was acceptable. The police ruled the death a homicide. The law was ruled unconstitutional.
Policy
(obsolete) Motive; object; inducement.
Rule
To mark with straight parallel lines.
Policy
(law)
Rule
To mark (a straight line), as with a ruler.
Policy
A contract of insurance.
Rule
To be in total control or command; exercise supreme authority.
Policy
A document containing or certifying this contract.
Your insurance policy covers fire and theft only.
Rule
To formulate and issue a decree or decision.
Policy
(obsolete) An illegal daily lottery in late nineteenth and early twentieth century USA on numbers drawn from a lottery wheel (no plural)
Rule
To prevail at a particular level or rate
Prices ruled low.
Policy
A number pool lottery
Rule
(Slang) To be excellent or superior
That new video game rules!.
Policy
(transitive) To regulate by laws; to reduce to order.
Rule
A regulation, law, guideline.
All participants must adhere to the rules.
Policy
Civil polity.
Rule
A regulating principle.
Policy
The settled method by which the government and affairs of a nation are, or may be, administered; a system of public or official administration, as designed to promote the external or internal prosperity of a state.
Rule
The act of ruling; administration of law; government; empire; authority; control.
Policy
The method by which any institution is administered; system of management; course.
Rule
A normal condition or state of affairs.
My rule is to rise at six o'clock.
As a rule, our senior editors are serious-minded.
Policy
Management or administration based on temporal or material interest, rather than on principles of equity or honor; hence, worldly wisdom; dexterity of management; cunning; stratagem.
Rule
(obsolete) Conduct; behaviour.
Policy
Prudence or wisdom in the management of public and private affairs; wisdom; sagacity; wit.
The very policy of a hostess, finding his purse so far above his clothes, did detect him.
Rule
(legal) An order regulating the practice of the courts, or an order made between parties to an action or a suit.
Policy
Motive; object; inducement.
What policy have you to bestow a benefit where it is counted an injury?
Rule
(math) A determinate method prescribed for performing any operation and producing a certain result.
A rule for extracting the cube root
Policy
A ticket or warrant for money in the public funds.
Rule
A ruler; device for measuring, a straightedge, a measure.
Policy
The writing or instrument in which a contract of insurance is embodied; an instrument in writing containing the terms and conditions on which one party engages to indemnify another against loss arising from certain hazards, perils, or risks to which his person or property may be exposed. See Insurance.
Rule
A straight line continuous mark, as made by a pen or the like, especially one lying across a paper as a guide for writing.
Policy
A method of gambling by betting as to what numbers will be drawn in a lottery; as, to play policy.
Rule
A thin plate of brass or other metal, of the same height as the type, and used for printing lines, as between columns on the same page, or in tabular work.
Policy
To regulate by laws; to reduce to order.
Rule
(obsolete) Revelry.
Policy
A line of argument rationalizing the course of action of a government;
They debated the policy or impolicy of the proposed legislation
Rule
To regulate, be in charge of, make decisions for, reign over.
Policy
A plan of action adopted by an individual or social group;
It was a policy of retribution
A politician keeps changing his policies
Rule
To excel.
This game rules!
Policy
Written contract or certificate of insurance;
You should have read the small print on your policy
Rule
(intransitive) To decide judicially.
Policy
A document outlining certain guidelines or strategies.
The employee handbook details the company's various policies.
Rule
(transitive) To establish or settle by, or as by, a rule; to fix by universal or general consent, or by common practice.
Policy
A stance or position on particular issues.
Their foreign policy focuses on strengthening bilateral ties.
Rule
(transitive) To mark (paper or the like) with rules lines.
Policy
An insurance contract.
He recently took out a life insurance policy.
Rule
To revel.
Rule
That which is prescribed or laid down as a guide for conduct or action; a governing direction for a specific purpose; an authoritative enactment; a regulation; a prescription; a precept; as, the rules of various societies; the rules governing a school; a rule of etiquette or propriety; the rules of cricket.
We profess to have embraced a religion which contains the most exact rules for the government of our lives.
Rule
Uniform or established course of things.
'T is against the rule of nature.
Rule
Systematic method or practice; as, my ule is to rise at six o'clock.
This uncivil rule; she shall know of it.
Rule
The act of ruling; administration of law; government; empire; authority; control.
Obey them that have the rule over you.
His stern rule the groaning land obeyed.
Rule
An order regulating the practice of the courts, or an order made between parties to an action or a suit.
Rule
A determinate method prescribed for performing any operation and producing a certain result; as, a rule for extracting the cube root.
Rule
A general principle concerning the formation or use of words, or a concise statement thereof; thus, it is a rule in England, that s or es , added to a noun in the singular number, forms the plural of that noun; but "man" forms its plural "men", and is an exception to the rule.
Rule
A straight strip of wood, metal, or the like, which serves as a guide in drawing a straight line; a ruler.
A judicious artist will use his eye, but he will trust only to his rule.
Rule
A thin plate of metal (usually brass) of the same height as the type, and used for printing lines, as between columns on the same page, or in tabular work.
Rule
To control the will and actions of; to exercise authority or dominion over; to govern; to manage.
A bishop then must be blameless; . . . one that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection.
Rule
To control or direct by influence, counsel, or persuasion; to guide; - used chiefly in the passive.
I think she will be ruledIn all respects by me.
Rule
To establish or settle by, or as by, a rule; to fix by universal or general consent, or by common practice.
That's are ruled case with the schoolmen.
Rule
To require or command by rule; to give as a direction or order of court.
Rule
To mark with lines made with a pen, pencil, etc., guided by a rule or ruler; to print or mark with lines by means of a rule or other contrivance effecting a similar result; as, to rule a sheet of paper of a blank book.
Rule
To have power or command; to exercise supreme authority; - often followed by over.
By me princes rule, and nobles.
We subdue and rule over all other creatures.
Rule
To lay down and settle a rule or order of court; to decide an incidental point; to enter a rule.
Rule
To keep within a (certain) range for a time; to be in general, or as a rule; as, prices ruled lower yesterday than the day before.
Rule
A principle or condition that customarily governs behavior;
It was his rule to take a walk before breakfast
Short haircuts were the regulation
Rule
Something regarded as a normative example;
The convention of not naming the main character
Violence is the rule not the exception
His formula for impressing visitors
Rule
Prescribed guide for conduct or action
Rule
(linguistics) a rule describing (or prescribing) a linguistic practice
Rule
A basic generalization that is accepted as true and that can be used as a basis for reasoning or conduct;
Their principles of composition characterized all their works
Rule
A rule or law concerning a natural phenomenon or the function of a complex system;
The principle of the conservation of mass
The principle of jet propulsion
The right-hand rule for inductive fields
Rule
The duration of a monarch's or government's power;
During the rule of Elizabeth
Rule
Dominance or power through legal authority;
France held undisputed dominion over vast areas of Africa
The rule of Caesar
Rule
Directions that define the way a game or sport is to be conducted;
He knew the rules of chess
Rule
Any one of a systematic body of regulations defining the way of life of members of a religious order;
The rule of St. Dominic
Rule
(mathematics) a standard procedure for solving a class of mathematical problems;
He determined the upper bound with Descartes' rule of signs
He gave us a general formula for attacking polynomials
Rule
Measuring stick consisting of a strip of wood or metal or plastic with a straight edge that is used for drawing straight lines and measuring lengths
Rule
Exercise authority over; as of nations;
Who is governing the country now?
Rule
Decide with authority;
The King decreed that all first-born males should be killed
Rule
Be larger in number, quantity, power, status or importance;
Money reigns supreme here
Hispanics predominate in this neighborhood
Rule
Decide on and make a declaration about;
Find someone guilty
Rule
Have an affinity with; of signs of the zodiac
Rule
Mark or draw with a ruler;
Rule the margins
Rule
Keep in check;
Rule one's temper
Rule
A regulation or directive governing play in a game.
The baseball rulebook is quite extensive.
Rule
An established convention or standard.
According to the rule of thirds in photography, the subject should be off-center.
Rule
Control or dominion over an area.
The queen's rule was benevolent and fair.
Rule
A horizontal line in printing to separate text.
The editor added a rule between the paragraphs for clarity.
Common Curiosities
What happens if you break a rule?
Breaking a rule usually results in immediate consequences or penalties.
Can a policy be found in an insurance context?
Yes, in insurance, a policy refers to the contract detailing coverage and terms.
Is a policy legally binding?
Policies themselves aren't legally binding, but some can be based on underlying laws or regulations.
What's a primary purpose of a policy?
A policy provides a general guideline or principle for decision-making.
Are rules always specific?
Yes, rules are specific directives or standards that dictate what can or cannot be done.
Can rules change?
Yes, rules can evolve or be amended based on changing circumstances or feedback.
What is the golden rule?
The golden rule is a principle that advises treating others as you'd like to be treated.
Why are rules important?
Rules ensure order, safety, and fairness by setting clear boundaries for behavior.
Can a rule be based on a policy?
Yes, rules often operationalize the broader guidelines set by policies.
Do all organizations have policies?
Most organizations adopt policies to provide direction and align with their values.
Can one policy have multiple rules associated with it?
Yes, a single policy can have several specific rules that help in its implementation.
Which is broader, a policy or a rule?
A policy is broader, offering a general approach, while a rule is specific.
Are rules always written?
While many rules are documented, some might be unwritten but understood within a community.
Which is more flexible, a policy or a rule?
Policies are generally more flexible, allowing for interpretation, while rules are more rigid.
Why are policies important for organizations?
Policies align actions with an organization's goals and values, ensuring cohesive decision-making.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
