“Public policies” have been consolidated as a relevant mechanism for the administration of contemporary states. Through public policies, governments articulate democratic interests and the free development of the economy. The objective is that the State can act on specific problems with the help of the private sector and social organizations. This procedure is, supposedly, universal. In this article, the main historical reasons that caused “public policies” are recorded. It also defines how public policies operate and what they are trying to solve. Finally, some conditions of Latin America that impede the effectiveness of public policies are described.