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Definition
is a course of government action or inaction in response to public problems.
A purposeful course of action that an individual or group consistently follows in dealing with a problem. |
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| Policy Outputs vs Policy Outcomes |
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Definition
Outputs- The formal actions that governments take to pursue their goals.
Outcomes- The effects such actions actually have on society. |
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| refers to the institutions and political processes through which public policy choices are made. |
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Definition
concerns the exercise of power in society or in specific decisions over public policy.
-Exercise of power and influence
- Who gets what, when , and how.
Politics can also be thought of as how conflicts are expressed and resolved in favor of one set of interests or values over another. |
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Definition
| ability to identify, assess, and respond to public problems. The government can't take on everything. |
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| When both parties are on opposite sides of the issue and unwilling to compromise. Especially difficult when you have a mixed congress majority. Ex: Republican senate and democratic house. |
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| American Political System |
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Definition
-Federalism, power shared between national (trade and military) and state governments(education and transportation).
-Checks and Balances
-Bicameral (two houses in congress)
-Incremental Policy Making |
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| Devolution/Decentralization |
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Definition
| Turn federal gov programs over to the states. Doesn't favor "big government". |
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Term
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Definition
| Agenda setting (define the problem) -> Formulate alternatives (reccomended actions) -> legitimate alternatives (bill becomes law, agency issues regulations, court makes decision) -> implement policy -> Evaluate policy -> Policy Change |
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| Best chances of getting on the agenda if the problem is |
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Definition
| high salience and low conflict. |
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Term
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Definition
Distributive- Individualized grants and programs paid by the general income tax revenue. Ex: Highways, bridges, etc. Pork Barrel policies.
Redistributive- One group gains, another pays EX: Unemployment, social security
Regulatory- Government restriction of behavior Ex: Workplace safety regulations, air quality standards. Two types, competitive regulation (break up trusts) and protective regulation (environment, health, etc). |
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| When does government take action? |
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Definition
When the public decides that private action isn't working/enough.
-To promote the general welfare. |
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Term
| Two models of society for making policy decisions related to “who gets what, when, and how.” |
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Definition
1. Market Model- Assumes everyone are rational, self-interested individuals, who have "perfect information" so they can't be swindled essentially to overpay for things. All about the free market and competition. In favor of small government. This model promotes innovation.
Government intervenes and regulates market failures such as monopolies, information failure (warning on cigs), externalities (protect envirionment), and public good (military).
2. Polis Model- Focuses on communities rather than individuals,cooperative in addition to competitive, altruistic, acknowledges we can never be perfectly informed, |
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| What Factors effect policymaking? |
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Definition
Social
Economic
Politcal
Governing
Cultural Context |
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Term
| Community/ Interest Groups |
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Definition
Often provide a competing view to the status quo policy or politics.
-Power of these groups depends on access to info, money, group size, associations, intensity, economic interest, and social movements. |
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| Elite Theory vs. Group/Pluralism Theory |
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Definition
| Policy influenced by the 1% and bureaucrats/elected officials vs. interest groups and public opinion. |
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| Public Opinions are based on |
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Definition
Facts, myths (perceived facts), and values.
-Most policy debates stem from value conflicts.
-Facts and values are both important in policy |
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| Ways to Judge the merit of the policy or proposed policy |
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Definition
Effectiveness
Efficiency
Equity, is it fair
Feasibility |
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| How to study public policy |
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Definition
1. Think Critically- Avoid poor reasoning and weak arguments such as cause and effect fallacies, personal biases, anecdotes as evidence, false balance, and reduction fallacy. Don't fall for simple solutions.
2. Use credible info/ sources |
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| Block grants vs. Categorical grants |
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Definition
| States mostly has the discretion to do with the money as they see fit vs funding must be used for specific purposes. |
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Definition
| federal requirements placed upon that state government without funds for implementation. Adds stress between national and states. |
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| How can money influence policy? |
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Definition
through campaign finance and lobbying.
-because of the "revolving door" |
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