Final answer:
Mask mandates are a form of regulatory policy that has concentrated costs but diffuse benefits, aimed at protecting public health on a broad scale. Distributive policies have costs shared by the many with benefits for a few, while redistributive policies shift resources between different groups in society.
Step-by-step explanation:
Types of Policies
Mask mandates are typically considered a form of regulatory policy. These policies impose concentrated costs on certain groups—in this case, businesses or individuals required to enforce or comply with mask-wearing—while providing diffuse benefits to the broader society by aiming to reduce the spread of contagious diseases and protect public health. In contrast, a distributive policy involves using resources collected from many to benefit a few directly, such as grants for education or loans for homeownership. On the other hand, a redistributive policy shifts resources from one group to another, like in social welfare programs funded from taxes paid by the middle class and the wealthy to support low-income individuals.
Regarding which type of policy directly benefits the most citizens, distributive policy generally has diffuse costs but concentrated benefits, benefiting fewer individuals with direct aid. However, regulatory policy has benefits that are far-reaching across society, making it effective for controlling or protecting public resources, health, and safety. Given this characterization, regulatory policy is often viewed as the policy type that can indirectly benefit the most citizens by creating a safer and healthier environment for all.