Ch2 Power and the policy process

Question 1

Power

Answer 1

The ability to influence people and to control resources

Question 2

Easton’s model

Answer 2

One approach to simplifying the complexities of political decision making and understanding its key components
- Inputs
- Black box
- Outputs

Question 3

Rational model, Simon

Answer 3

To achieve the desired outcomes, decision makers must work through a number of steps in a logical sequence

Question 4

Policymaker steps, rational model, Simon

Answer 4

1. Policy maker is faced with a particular problem
2. Goals, values, or objective are clarified and ranked
3. Various alternative solutions are considered
4. Costs and benefits of each alternative are investigated
5. Each alternative and its costs and benefits are compared with other alternatives
6. Policy maker chooses the alternative that has highest net benefits

Question 5

Weber’s three origins of power

Answer 5

Who are in position of exercising power, and what their mark of territory is
1. Traditional authority
2. charismatic authority
3. Rational-legal authority
4. Scientist

Question 6

Authority

Answer 6

Whereas power concerns the ability to influence others, authority concerns the right to do so.

Question 7

Dahl theory

Answer 7

Power is based on access to:
- Cash, credit and wealth
- Holding official office
- Managing staff
- Control over information

Question 8

Three dimensions of power

Answer 8

• Power as decision making
• Power as non-decision making
• Power as thought control

Question 9

Power as decision making

Answer 9

Acts of individuals and groups which influence policy decisions

Question 10

Power as non-decision making

Answer 10

Dominant groups exert influence to delineate the policy agenda

Question 11

Power as thought control

Answer 11

Compliance through subtle means (mass media or socialization)

Question 12

Four macro theories that focus on distribution of power in society

Answer 12

1. Pluralism
2. Public choice
3. Elitism
4. Bounded pluralism

Question 13

Pluralism

Answer 13

Theory that power is widely distributed in society

Question 14

Public choice

Answer 14

State is in itself interest group

Question 15

Elitism

Answer 15

Theory that power is concentrated in a minority group in society

Question 16

Incrementalism

Answer 16

Theory that decisions are not made through a rational process but by small adjustments to the status quo in the light of political realities

Question 17

Incrementalist model, Lindblom

Answer 17

Describes way policy is actually made: decision makers take incremental steps from the initial situation by comparing only a small number of possible alternatives which are not very different from the status quo