white paper - Government white papers, Commercial white papers, White paper production, Famous white papers

In the UK, a government publication printed for the information of parliament, setting out the government's policy and legislative intentions in a specific area, such as the annual Expenditure White Paper. Such a statement of policy is not bulky enough to need the protective covers of a blue book. Depending upon the area in question, different degrees of scope exist for consultation and discussion before the proposals are put into effect. White papers are often preceded by green papers (so called because they have green covers), which are consultative documents designed to elicit public debate. White papers are also available to the public.

In modern British or Irish terminology, a White Paper is a statement of government policy. It is called white paper because originally these were thin documents quickly bound in white paper without a formal cover, as opposed to the blue bindings of most government reports.

Government white papers

In the Commonwealth of Nations, "white paper" is an informal name for a parliamentary paper;

White papers published by the European Commission are documents containing proposals for European Union action in a specific area.

As examples see the following:

Churchill White Paper, 1922 (10 June 1922, United Kingdom) White Paper of 1939 calling for the creation of a unified Palestinian State and a limited Jewish immigration and ability to purchase land. Advancing the National Interest (2003, Commonwealth of Australia)

Commercial white papers

More recently, the term white paper has also come to refer to documents that argue non-governmental positions as well. These types of white papers are almost always marketing communications documents and are designed to promote a specific company's solutions or products as it relates to the issue or topic examined. Today the commercial white paper is the most common type of white paper. Such white papers are used to collect leads, establish thought leadership or close sales - this is quite different from the original use of white papers.

Windows 2000 Kerberos Authentication (9 July 1999, Microsoft) Motorola Push-to-Talk (22 April 2004, Motorola)

White paper production

Because of their persuasive nature, white papers should be carefully crafted to avoid the perception of salesmanship. White papers should begin by focusing on the needs of readers, rather than the specific solution suggested by the paper's sponsor. The book Writing White Papers explains, "leading with problems or needs early in your white paper is a very powerful method to gain the interest of your readers."

Typical content for a white paper might include:

Market Drivers Problem Development Historical Overviews A Generic Introduction to the Solution Benefits What to Look for in an Ideal Solution

Famous white papers

In Place of Strife (1969) The White Paper to abolish the Indian Act in Canada and recognize First Nations as the same as other minorities in Canada, rather than a distinct group (1969, cancelled in 1971) If Japan can...