Midterm Review Flashcards
Policy capacity
The ability of the gov’t to identify and evaluate public problems, and to develop suitable policies to deal with them.
Policy gridlock
When political decision makers are unable or unwilling to compromise in a way that permits public policy action.
Incremental policy making
Small steps, taken slowly, through minor amendments or the gradual extension of a programs mandate or the group it serves.
Federalism
Federal-state relationship
Dual federalism
Theory that states; the functions or responsibilities of each level of gov’t are distinct; little integration of the 2 levels of gov’t exists.
Cooperative federalism
Increased collaboration on policy making between the national and state gov’ts
Separation of powers
Governing power is shared among the three branches of the government; legislative, executive and judicial.
Legislative branch
This is bicameral (two-house) congress made up of house of representatives and the senate
House of reps
Members are elected every two years from separate districts within each state, there are 435 voting members
Senators (senate)
They serve 6 year terms, they are more independent, they can debate issues and have the right to filibuster.
Congress
Acts on legislative proposals (law making) and budgetary responsibilities; appropriates money for all agencies and oversees the operations of the executive branch
Executive branch
Implements public policies in part by establishing rules and regulations under the discretion granted to them by congress.
Executive branch is made up of?
The President, the vice president, white house staff and the federal bureaucracy.
Judicial branch is made up of?
This is made up of the 9 member supreme court, 13 circuit courts of appeals and the 94 federal district courts
Judicial branch
The judiciary affects public policy through established precedent (law). The courts interpret constitutional and legislative provisions and settle disputes that arise because of the executive branch.
Block grants
Transfers of money to the states, where the states have substantial discretion in how to spend the money to meet the needs of the citizens
Categorical grants
Federal funds transfered to states to be used for specific programs.
Unfunded mandates
When the federal gov’t asks states to achieve something but don’t give them any money to do it, so money is taken out of other budgets to achieve the task
Elite theory
Policy making theory that emphasizes how the values and preferences of governing elites affect public policy developments. General publics values are not important to powerful politicians.
Group theory
Policy making theory that sees public policy as the product of a continuous struggle among organized interest groups.
Institutional theory
Policy making theory that emphasizes the formal and legal aspects of gov’t structures. Looks at the way gov’t is arranged [legal powers, rules for decision making]
Rational choice theory
Theory that draws heavily from economics; assumes that in making decision, individuals are rational actors, who seek to attain their preferences or further their self interest.
Political systems theory
Theory that stresses the way political systems respond to demands that arise from its environment, such as public opinion and interest group pressures.
Agenda setting
This is how problems are perceived and defined, command attention and get onto political agenda
Policy formulation
The design and drafting of policy goals and strategies for achieving them.
Policy legitimation
The mobilization of political support and formal enactment (passing legislation) of policies.
Policy implementation
Providing institutional resources for putting the programs into effect.
Policy & program evaluation
Measurement and assessment of policy/program affects, including failures and successes
Policy change
Modification of policy goals and means in light of new information or shifting political environment
Regulation as an instrument
These are gov’t decrees that require or prevent citizens from doing something (laws)
Government management as an instrument
Implementation of services or management of resources directly to citizens (Public defense, police, fire)
Education, information and persuasion
Educates citizens in attempt to persuade them to behave in a certain way (nutrition labeling to support healthy lives)
Taxing and spending
The collection of money or expense to achieve policy goals.
Market mechanisms
Use of market to provide the public with incentives to make choices or correct problems.
Informal actors
public opinion, political candidates, interest groups, think tanks and the media
Redistributive policies
Policies that provide benefits to one category of individuals at the expense of another; often reflect ideological or class conflict.
Regulatory policy
Gov’t restriction of individual choice to keep conduct from transcending acceptable bounds. Often used in health, safety and environmental policies.
Competitive regulation
Policies that are mostly associated with the regulation of specific industries and their practices
Protective regulation
Regulatory policies that protect the general public from activities that occur in the private sector
No-action analysis
A policy alternative that considers the advantage or disadvantage of taking no new action and thus keeping the current policy in place.
Parallel situation
A similar condition in a related policy area that might provide ideas for what actions might be undertaken to address a problem
Ideal situation
A reference used in policy analysis whereby a highly preferable or ideal goal or solution to a problem might be set.
