Chapter 15-17 Flashcards
Identify two politically relevant factors that have affected the changing distribution of government benefits between children and the elderly
The elderly have effected the interest group lobbying for them, rising elderly population, declining birth rate l, rising life expectancy, elderly people vote all the time ( politicians like that )
Explain how each of the two factors identified earlier has affected the changing distribution of government benefits
Elderly can vote while children can’t ( it give elderly more representation )
More Elderly are sucking money out while there is less working force putting money in
How does divided government make it difficult or federal government to enact public policy
Def: at least one house of congress is controlled by opposing party of the president
It creates grid lock (nothing gets done) ex)government shut down a few years ago because couldn’t agree on budget deal
How does weak party discipline make it difficult for the federal government to enact public policy
Party cannot come together on an agreement, the party leadership is to busy keeping them in check (reining them in)
How does growth in the number of interest groups and political action committees make it difficult for the federal govt to enact public policy
There is so many different interest that it is hard to please everyone and when interest are not met the groups could punish congress members
The constitution grants the president certain enumerated powers. Describe two of these formal powers that enable the president to exert influence over domestic policy
Appointment power to some domestic office, power to give state of the Union address, legislation power in the way of vetoing, chief executive of the U.S. To enforce the law
Define the term and explain how each limits president ability to influence policy making in congress
Mandatory spending
Spending on certain programs that are required by existing law
If 4/5 of spending is already use for mandatory spending it give the president less money to work with for his own policy goals
Define the term and explain how each limits president ability to influence policy making in congress
Party polarization
It is when party’s ideologies become farther apart
They are less willing to work with each other, congress and the president
Define the term and explain how each limits president ability to influence policy making in congress
Lame duck period
Is when congress meets after its successor is elected (new president) but before his term begins
The old presidents power is diminished and congress turns response to new president
Define fiscal policy
The federal governments use of taxation and spending policies to affect business activities
Describe one significant way the executive branch influences fiscal policy
The office of management and budget writes the budget and president proposes it to congress, president can veto the final result form congress
Describing one significant way the legislative branch influence fiscal policy
Congress has the power to act on passing the federal budget and taxes, congressional budget office
Define monetary policy
Utilization of changes in the amount of money in circulation to alter credit markets, employment, and the rate of inflation
Explain two reason why the federal reserve board is given independence in establishing monetary policy
Remove politics from monetary policy
Federal reserve board have expertise
Deflect blame from the president and congress of things go south
Define entitlement program
Government sponsored program providing mandated benefits to those who meet eligibility requirements
What is the primary source of revenue for social security program
Separate payroll tax on people who work (FICA tax on earned income
Special separate tax on income that go the social security
Identify one threat to the future of the social security program should the trends depicted in the chart continue
If it continues social security program will go bankrupt
Describe one demographic trend that threatens the future of the social security program and explain how it is responsible for the threat
Old people make up a larger population in the country, decline birth rates, people are living longer
If more people use the program compared to the workers paying into it the system
Explain how any one of the trends in the chart above would change if the age of eligibility for social security was raised
If people are working longer instead and getting the program at a higher age the paid in would increase, there be a less declined year end reserve and paid out reserve will not go up as much
Explain importance of media in the formation of policy agenda
It effects what issues the public feel are important which in turn effect how politicians act on the issue, they will set agenda
Explain how elections form policy agenda
He who wins get to set the agenda
Describe the roles of the congressional committees in enactment of public policy
They make up bills, go on junkets, hold hearings and they change the bills accordingly, put it into law
Describe role executive orders on public policy
Allows president to sercumvent congress and unilaterally put law into order
Explain importance of bureaucratic discretion in the implementation of public policy
Congress let them have great choice in implementing the policy
Importance of issue networks or iron triangles in the implementation of public policy
They work to pressure the bureaucrats to benefit all the people
Describe to enumerated powers congress has in making foreign policy
Power of the purse, which allows them to find wars, can approve or reject treaty’s and declare war
Describe to expressed powers the president has in making foreign policy
Commander in chief of the military, appoint and receive ambassadors, grant/withhold recognition of other countries
Explain how executive agreements expand the president ability to implement foreign policy
Allow him to by pass congress and act unilaterally
How can Elections limit the president ability to implement foreign policy
Wants to get re elected, has to not make unpopular decisions about foreign policy so he does get relected
How does the president approval ratings limit the president ability to implement foreign policy
Poor approval ratings equals congress is likely to give the president what he wants
Describe what the figure above demonstrates about the distribution of benefits over time
Over time children have been given less benefits while benefits spent on the elderly has been steadily increasing
