_ppa 200 midterm - Sheet1 Flashcards
Public Policy
what public officials within government choose to do or not do about public problems
Public Administration
is the implementation of government policy
Monopoly
the exclusive possession or control of the supply or trade in a commodity or service.
Externalities
a side effect or consequence of an industrial or commercial activity that affects other parties without this being reflected in the cost of the goods or services involved
Information asymmetry
sometimes referred to as information failure, is present whenever one party to an economic transaction possesses greater material knowledge than the other party
Collective good
the general good of all people in a community, state, or nation.
Federalism
a system of government in which sovereignty is divided between federal, state, an local units
Checks and balances
one branch of government has some sort of power to check the others level
Separation of Powers
the government broken into 3 parts- legislative, executive, and judicial
Dual Federalism
theory that keeps the powers of the government separate, a 3 layered cake
Cooperative Federalism
theory that allows the national government to be more involved in different state policies - marbled cake federalism
Block Grants
transfers of federal dollars to the states, where states have substantial discretion in how to spend money to reach needs of the citizens
Categorical Grants
transfers of federal dollars to the states where funding must be used for specific purposes
unfunded mandates
federal requirements placed on state governments without sufficient funds for implementation
Issue networks
term by : Hugh Heclo
iron triangle
comprises the policy-making relationship among the congressional committees, the bureaucracy, and interest groups.
interest groups
a group of people that seeks to influence public policy on the basis of a particular common interest or concern.
policy process model
-define
agenda setting
a step in policy process whereby policy actors attempt to get an issue seriously considered for public action
policy evaluation
a step in policy process that assess whether policies and programs are working well
policy implementation
the actual development of a programs details to ensure that policy goals and objectives will be attained
policy formulation
a step in the policy process that results in the development of proposed courses of action to help resolve a public problem
systemic agenda
issues the public is aware of an may be discussing
governmental agenda
is a set of issues and policies laid out by ideological or political groups; as well as topics under discussion by a governmental executive, or a cabinet in government that tries to influence current and near-future political news
regulation
a rule or directive made and maintained by an authority.
subsidizing
support (an organization or activity) financially.
contracting
enter into a formal and legally binding agreement. decrease in size, number, or range.
policy analysis
to examine and evaluate the available options to implement the goals of laws and elected officials.
elite theory
policymaking theory that emphasizes how the values of preferences of governing elites affect public policy development.
group theory
policymaking theory that sees public policy as the product of a continuous struggle among organized interest
institutional theory
policymaking theory that emphasizes the formal and legal aspects of government structure. Looking at the way govt are arranged, their legal powers, and their rules for decision making
Rational choice theory
a policymaking theory that draws heavily from economics, assumes that in making decisions, ind. are rational actors who seek to attain their preferences or further their self interests
Political systems theory
policymaking theory that stresses the way the political system responds to demands that arise from its environment. Emphasizes the larger social, economic, and cultural context in which political choices are made
policy legitimation
a step in the policy process that gives legal force to decisions or authorizes or justifies policy action.
distributive policies
policies that provide benefits to one category of individuals, everybody gets it
redistributive policies
policies that provide benefits to one category of individuals at the expense of another; often reflect ideological or class conflict (one group wins another loses)
root cause
the basic fundamental causes of public problems, sometimes referred to as underlying causes
proximate cause
the cause of public policy problems that are most direct or immediate, sometimes easier to handle
consensual analysis
analysis based in the norms and values of the society in question, doesn’t “rock the boat”
comprehensive analysis
Methodologically rigorous analysis designed to fully understand the nature of a problem and produce most vetted results.
short term analysis
Quicker analysis, factoring in less data for the purpose of producing the simplest and most pertinent answer
contentious analysis
Criticizes societal norms and proposes radical alternatives. Challenges commonly held beliefs, ideas and understandings.
Problem analysis
a series of methods that can be used to analyze causes of public problem, where they exist, what effects they have, and what might be done about them.
no-action analysis
a policy alternative that considers the advantages or disadvantages of taking no new action, and thus keeping current policy in place
issue framing
the practice in which policymakers and interest groups do whatever they can to set policy agenda in their favor by defining problems their way
policy design
a form pf policy analysis: occurs during policy formulation, considers how components of proposed policy fits together and how they are likely to work to fit a problem.
operational measures
A specific way to define and measure a policy problem, such as a rate of poverty or unemployment. Often useful when quantitative measures of problems are needed.
parallel situation
a similar condition in a related policy area that might provide ideas for what actions might be undertaken to address a problem
brainstorming
used to foster creativity in policy alternatives.
political attitudes
Individuals’ views and preferences about public policies, political parties, candidates, government institutions, and public officials.
political habits
individuals tendencies to vote and what parties they tend to vote for
supply and demand perspective
two views on how to think about public problems:
contingent valuation methods
use of surveys to determine economic value that people place on certain goods or services for which there is no market value - used in cost benefit analysis
discount rate
a calculation made in conducting cost-benefit analysis that takes into account the changing value of a dollar overtime
impact assessment
a form of policy analysis that examines the likely effects or impacts of proposed or adopted policies
opportunity cost
common in economic analysis, one considers value of opportunity that are forgone when time or resources are spent on a given activity
risk assessment
calculation of the risks to society posed by a given situation, specialized form of policy analysis that can identify risks and estimate their severity.
risk management
describes public policies that are adopted to manage or control various risks.
risk evaluation
use of various methods to determine the level of risk that is acceptable to the public and policymakers how safe is safe enough?
forecasting
predict or estimate (a future event or trend).
ethical analysis
policy analysis that is based on ethical principles or norms, such as personal freedom or equality
implementation analysis
a form of policy analysis that examines the process and effects of implementing public policy. Can be used to anticipate, adopt, or document problems after policy has been put into place
program evaluation
focuses more on policy results or outcomes than on process of implementation, but the 2 together
deficit
the amount by which something, especially a sum of money, is too small.
debt
something, typically money, that is owed or due.
GDP
the total value of goods produced and services provided in a country during one year.
CPI (Consumer Price Index)
s a measure that examines the weighted average of prices of a basket of consumer goods and services
CBO (Congressional Budget Office)
s a measure that examines the weighted average of prices of a basket of consumer goods and services
GAO (Governmental Accountability Office
is an agency of the U.S. government that monitors and audits government spending and operations
OMB (The office of Management and Budget)
s the business division of the Executive Office of the President of the United States that administers the United States federal budget and oversees the performance of federal agencies.
monetary policy
used by the federal reserve board to influence economic policy goals, attempts to control economic fluctuations through control of money circulation
fiscal policy
the taxing and spending tools at the government’s disposal to influence the economy.
What is the difference between public Policy and Public Administration?
Policy is the law/regulation, and administration is the actual enforcement/ application of it
What are the tools of public policy?
Grants, Mandates, Taxes
Policy Process model
agenda setting, policy formulation, policy legitimation, policy implementation, policy and program evaluation, policy change
Policy Analysis Process
-Define and analyze the problem
Evaluative Criteria for Policy Proposals
-efficiency -equity
-liberty/freedom
-political feasibility
-social acceptability
-administrative feasibility
-technical feasibility
Efficiency
using resources in such a way as to maximize the production of goods and services
Equity
a condition in which people receive from a relationship in proportion to what they give to it
Liberty/freedom
extent to which public policy extends or restricts privacy and individual rights and choices
political feasibility
A calculation of the likely acceptability to policymakers of proposed policy ideas or alternatives. Refers to whether elected officials are likely to support the idea.
social acceptability
the extent to which the public will accept and support a policy proposal
administrative feasibility
the likelihood that a department or agency can implement the policy well
Technical Feasibility
refers to whether existing information technology is likely to be able to meet the needs of the new system
components of problem analysis
-define the problem
Goals of Economic Policy
growth
market failure
when the private market is not efficient; some argue that such a failure provides a justification for government intervention.
Tragedy of the commons
An economics problem in which every individual has an incentive to consume a resource, but at the expense of every other individual – with no way to exclude anyone from consuming.
public good
same as collective good
what is the purpose of studying public policy?
- Improve citizens’ ability to participate and make choices (more knowledge of policy issues and process)
What are the different types of context to consider when forming or studying public policy?
· Social: Societal changes (e.g., population changes)
Social context
Societal changes (e.g., population changes)
Economic context
State of the economy (e.g., surplus vs. deficit)
Political context
Political/ideological issues (who is in power?)
Governing context
Structure of government (e.g., separation of powers)
Cultural context
Values, beliefs (e.g., red state vs. blue state)
purely private good
good for which consumption is rival and from which consumers can be excluded.
Pure public good
a good or service that can be consumed simultaneously by everyone and from which no one can be excluded.
official actor
participant in the policy process whose involvement is motivated by his or her official position in a government agency or office.
unofficial actor
participant in the process who does not have constitutionally, or legally created incentives or mandates be part of the process, such as researchers and reporters, all of whom are important to the policy process.
rational policymaking
Broad and thorough; time consuming. Logical sequence of steps:
Incremental policymaking
policy changes that occur in small steps; adjustments are made at the margins of existing policies through minor amendments or the gradual extension of a program’s mandate or the groups it serves.
advantages of federalism
- Fosters State Loyalties: Many Americans feel close ties to their home state, and federalism maintains that connection by giving power to the states.
Disadvantages of Federalism
- Prevents The Creation Of A National Policy: The United States does not have a single policy on issues; instead, it has fifty-one policies, which often leads to confusion. - Leads To A Lack Of Accountability: The overlap of the boundaries among national and state governments makes it tricky to assign blame for failed policies.
How do informal actors affect policymaking?
Informal actors can advocate for policy issues by creating community around the things that matter to them; i.e. joining local civic organizations, book clubs, etc., or volunteer for a non-profit they are passionate about. They can also attend meetings and encourage others to speak up.
What is the role of public opinion in policymaking? The Media?
Interest groups, media, and public opinion help to frame, or “spin” problems.
How does our structure of government (checks and balances/separation of powers/federalism) affect public policy?
slows it down
policy tools
· Authority tools:
why is the policymaking process political?
Political systems theory explains that the way the political system responds to demands that arise from its environment. Emphasizes the larger social, economic, and cultural context in which political choices are made.
Why is problem definition essential in policy making?’
Problem definition is essential in policy making because it is needed to identify and implement the proper solution.
How does policy analysis fit into the policymaking cycle?
legitimation and implementation parts of the policymaking cycle.
Mandatory spending
all spending that does not take place through appropriations legislation
Discretionary spending
government spending implemented through an appropriations bill. This spending is an optional part of fiscal policy, in contrast to social programs for which funding is mandatory and determined by the number of eligible recipients.
Open market operations
an activity by a central bank to give liquidity in its currency to a bank or a group of banks
Continuing resolution
Legislation in the form of a joint resolution enacted by Congress, when the new fiscal year is about to begin or has begun, to provide budget authority for Federal agencies and programs to continue in operation until the regular appropriations acts are enacted.
Who are stakeholders in economic policy?
· Office of Management and Budget (OMB)
Identify criteria for evaluating economic policies.
· Cost-benefit analysis
Cost-benefit analysis
Financial savings compared to costs.
Cost-effectiveness analysis
same as cost/benefit; doesn’t monetize benefits.
Who controls monetary policy?
The Federal Reserve Bank
who controls fiscal policy?
fiscal policy is directed by both the executive and legislative branches of the government. In the executive branch, the President and the Secretary of the Treasury, often with economic advisers’ counsel, direct fiscal policies.
CBO vs. OBM
- CBO provides Congress with objective cost analyses to help with economic and budgetary decisions on the programs covered by the federal budget, including Defense, and the information and estimates required for the Congressional budget process.
federal budget process
Step 1: department and agencies submit proposals
federal budget process step 1
department and agencies submit proposals
federal budget process step 2
The president submits his plan
federal budget process step 3
the house of representatives and the senate create budget resolutions
federal budget process step 4
Appropriations committees distribute funding
federal budget process step 5
chambers vote on appropriations bills
federal budget process step 6
The president signs the bills into law
