Term
|
Definition
o Elite Theory
o Interest Group Theory
o Bureaucratic Theory
o Pluralistic Theory
o Policy Process Model |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| All important decisions are made by the chosen few |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| So many pressure points in the three branches that interest groups can step in and out of various competing sides. The gov't becomes the equilibrium point, mediating between competing interests |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| All institutions have fallen under the control of bureaucracy, due to the complexity of modern organizations. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
o Robert Dahl
o Political resources are so scattered that no single group could ever gain a monopoly
o In any given issue, all participants get something. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Policy patterns are predictable |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Democracy is driven by compromise - everybody wins |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
o Three Streams Theory
- Problem Stream
- Policy Stream
- Political Stream
o When the streams converge, there is a window for policy change. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
o Problem
o Policy
o Political |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
o Agenda Setting - Identify policy objectives, *most important stage
o Policy formation - Brainstorming and policy development
o Adopting the Best Solution - Agreeing on the best approach
o Implementation - The process by which policies are carried out
o Policy Evaluation - analyze how well the program is working |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Street-level bureaucrats - you need buy-in for success |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Leaky bucket theory - when government transfers income or wealth from rich to poor a lot leaks out and is wasted |
|
|
Term
| Bureaucratic/Administrative Discretion |
|
Definition
| How much leeway Congress gives the bureaucracy to create policy |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Private welfare system, what US used before 1930, when it crumbled under the Great Depression. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
o President Theodore Roosevelt
o 1930s
o Policies that sought to remedy the effects of The Great Depression |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
o President Lyndon B Johnson
o 1960s
o Programs designed to redress political, social, and economic inequality
o Included the Voting Rights Act of 1965 |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
o 1960s
o Programs designed to eradicate poverty by providing training, education, and jobs |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
$23,850 for a family of four
Texas 16.4% of families live in poverty |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
o Contributory - Have to give to receive
- Social Security (old age insurance)
- Medicare (for Seniors)
- Unemployment Benefits
o Non-Contributory - Children and elderly are the two largest recipients |
|
|
Term
| Social Security Act of 1935 |
|
Definition
o Established the Welfare State
o Created contributory and non-contributory welfare categories |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Welfare for the elderly, (65+ years old) |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Welfare for the non-elderly needy. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Welfare available for 1st child, but not second and so-on |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Aid to Families with Dependent Children, eventually renamed to TANF
o Single mother w/2 kids - $188/mo |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Applicants for public assistance demonstrate a genuine need |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Assistance that is NOT cash (food stamps, SNAP) |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Annual Cost-of-living adjustment increases benefits received by retirees.
- Determined by inflation |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Unemployment + Inflation Rate
- In 1990s was ZERO |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
o 1970s
o Increased social security benefits, smaller revenue base
o led to higher unemployment and inflation
o Not a good time for the federal government. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| #1 source of revenue for the federal government |
|
|
Term
| Americans Under 65 with no medical insurance |
|
Definition
o 46 million (17%)
o In Texas it's 20% |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Iceland Ranks #1 (in 2005)
US Ranks 12th |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
o 72.2% earn money as a majority of income
o For the most part they work in the service industry
o 18% can not afford food consistently |
|
|
Term
| Two Types of Welfare Programs |
|
Definition
o Means Tested (must demonstrate need)
o In Kind (no cash) |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
o Cultural/Behavioral - "Lazy Bastard" theory
o Structural/Economical - Beyond their control |
|
|
Term
| Cultural/Behavior Theory of Poverty |
|
Definition
o Behavior, values, and culture are the causes
o Theory favored by conservatives
o Welfare traps and robs people of their will
o Benefits > Job |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
o Cultural/Behavior Theory
o Poverty is simply the culture and behavior of the poor |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
o Cultural/Behavior Theory
o Poor lack the inner resources to seize ample opportunities that surround them
o "People who engage in school leaving, welfare abuse, illegitimacy, drug and alcohol abuse, and crime."
o 1960s legitimized poors' view that the system was to blame for their personal failure
o 60s promoted promiscuity while degrading values of marriage, sacrifice, education and industriousness |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
o Cultural/Behavior Theory
o Poor must help themselves
o Gov't yields to "handout mentality"
o Gov't can never pass or administer effective welfare reform |
|
|
Term
| Structural/Economic Theory of Poverty |
|
Definition
o Liberals state that conservatives overstate extent of welfare bing a trap.
o 60% of poverty spells last less than one year
o 16.6% last two years |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Relocating people to where jobs are |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Structural/Economic Theory |
|
|
