Chapter 2

Question 1

Systems thinking

Answer 1

A way of thinking about all manner of things, that became much more prominent after world war 2

Question 2

Input

Answer 2

The various issues, pressures, information, and the like to which the actors in the system react

Question 3

Output

Answer 3

Public policy decisions to do or not to do something

Question 4

Input-output model

Answer 4

A model of the policy process that assumes a set of policy demands or inputs, which are then processed by the political system into laws, programs, and the goods and services the government provides

Question 5

Black box

Answer 5

Something that performs a translating or processing function, but where the actual workings of that system are unclear

Question 6

Policy environment

Answer 6

The structural, social, economical, political, and other factors that influence and are influenced by policy making

Question 7

Separation of powers

Answer 7

The constitutional division of power among the legislative, executive and judicial branches of the government

Question 8

Federalism

Answer 8

A system of government in which power is shared between a central or federal government and other governments, in states or provinces

Question 9

Open Public Meetings

Answer 9

Laws that mandate that most public meetings and hearings should be open to the public in decision-making

Question 10

Administrative Procedure Act

Answer 10

A federal law that requires regulatory agencies to follow particular procedures in rulemaking

Question 11

Freedom of Information Act

Answer 11

A federal law that allows citizens to gain information about government programs, this act is often invoked by journalists and researchers when the government is at first unwilling to provide information: It is sometimes successful in compelling the government to provide information

Question 12

Demographers

Answer 12

Study the composition of the population by looking at te distribution of age, race, gender, etc.

Question 13

Budget deficit

Answer 13

The difference between what a government spends and what it receives in revenue

Question 14

National debt

Answer 14

The total amount of money owed to a nation’s creditors, such as those who had treasury bills and saving bonds

Question 15

Case law

Answer 15

Laws that are made as a result of judicial decisions and that influence future decisions

Question 16

Evaluation

Answer 16

The process of investigating whether and to what extent a program has its desired effect

Question 17

Gross Domestic Product

Answer 17

Total value of all goods and services produced in a country

Question 18

Initiative

Answer 18

A process allowed in some states, by which people can propose and vote on laws via a petition and an election. Contrast with referendum

Question 19

Referendum

Answer 19

The referral of a proposed change in law to voters for approval

Question 20

Keynesian economics

Answer 20

Theories and applications created or inspired by economist Keynes, who argued that countries should accept budget deficits and government spending during recessions so as to stimulate the economy; then, when the economy is growing, tax revenues can pay the debt so incurred

Question 21

Legislative intent

Answer 21

What the legislature meant in drafting legislation, including what the language of the law should mean

Question 22

Regulations

Answer 22

The rules made by government agencies and regulatory bodies to implement the meaning of the laws under which the agencies operate

Question 23

Statute law

Answer 23

Laws made by the legislature and signed by the governor

Question 24

Tax expenditures

Answer 24

Government payments or subsidies in the form of tax deductions or credits; “expenditures” because it’s not collecting a tax is similar to collecting it and spending it

Question 25

Transfer payments

Answer 25

Transfers of money from the government to individual recipients