Midterm Review

Question 1

Policy capacity

Answer 1

The ability of the gov’t to identify and evaluate public problems, and to develop suitable policies to deal with them.

Question 2

Policy gridlock

Answer 2

When political decision makers are unable or unwilling to compromise in a way that permits public policy action.

Question 3

Incremental policy making

Answer 3

Small steps, taken slowly, through minor amendments or the gradual extension of a programs mandate or the group it serves.

Question 4

Federalism

Answer 4

Federal-state relationship

Question 5

Dual federalism

Answer 5

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.

Question 6

Cooperative federalism

Answer 6

Increased collaboration on policy making between the national and state gov’ts

Question 7

Separation of powers

Answer 7

Governing power is shared among the three branches of the government; legislative, executive and judicial.

Question 8

Legislative branch

Answer 8

This is bicameral (two-house) congress made up of house of representatives and the senate

Question 9

House of reps

Answer 9

Members are elected every two years from separate districts within each state, there are 435 voting members

Question 10

Senators (senate)

Answer 10

They serve 6 year terms, they are more independent, they can debate issues and have the right to filibuster.

Question 11

Congress

Answer 11

Acts on legislative proposals (law making) and budgetary responsibilities; appropriates money for all agencies and oversees the operations of the executive branch

Question 12

Executive branch

Answer 12

Implements public policies in part by establishing rules and regulations under the discretion granted to them by congress.

Question 13

Executive branch is made up of?

Answer 13

The President, the vice president, white house staff and the federal bureaucracy.

Question 14

Judicial branch is made up of?

Answer 14

This is made up of the 9 member supreme court, 13 circuit courts of appeals and the 94 federal district courts

Question 15

Judicial branch

Answer 15

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.

Question 16

Block grants

Answer 16

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

Question 17

Categorical grants

Answer 17

Federal funds transfered to states to be used for specific programs.

Question 18

Unfunded mandates

Answer 18

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

Question 19

Elite theory

Answer 19

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.

Question 20

Group theory

Answer 20

Policy making theory that sees public policy as the product of a continuous struggle among organized interest groups.

Question 21

Institutional theory

Answer 21

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]

Question 22

Rational choice theory

Answer 22

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.

Question 23

Political systems theory

Answer 23

Theory that stresses the way political systems respond to demands that arise from its environment, such as public opinion and interest group pressures.

Question 24

Agenda setting

Answer 24

This is how problems are perceived and defined, command attention and get onto political agenda

Question 25

Policy formulation

Answer 25

The design and drafting of policy goals and strategies for achieving them.

Question 26

Policy legitimation

Answer 26

The mobilization of political support and formal enactment (passing legislation) of policies.

Question 27

Policy implementation

Answer 27

Providing institutional resources for putting the programs into effect.

Question 28

Policy & program evaluation

Answer 28

Measurement and assessment of policy/program affects, including failures and successes

Question 29

Policy change

Answer 29

Modification of policy goals and means in light of new information or shifting political environment

Question 30

Regulation as an instrument

Answer 30

These are gov’t decrees that require or prevent citizens from doing something (laws)

Question 31

Government management as an instrument

Answer 31

Implementation of services or management of resources directly to citizens (Public defense, police, fire)

Question 32

Education, information and persuasion

Answer 32

Educates citizens in attempt to persuade them to behave in a certain way (nutrition labeling to support healthy lives)

Question 33

Taxing and spending

Answer 33

The collection of money or expense to achieve policy goals.

Question 34

Market mechanisms

Answer 34

Use of market to provide the public with incentives to make choices or correct problems.

Question 35

Informal actors

Answer 35

public opinion, political candidates, interest groups, think tanks and the media

Question 36

Redistributive policies

Answer 36

Policies that provide benefits to one category of individuals at the expense of another; often reflect ideological or class conflict.

Question 37

Regulatory policy

Answer 37

Gov’t restriction of individual choice to keep conduct from transcending acceptable bounds. Often used in health, safety and environmental policies.

Question 38

Competitive regulation

Answer 38

Policies that are mostly associated with the regulation of specific industries and their practices

Question 39

Protective regulation

Answer 39

Regulatory policies that protect the general public from activities that occur in the private sector

Question 40

No-action analysis

Answer 40

A policy alternative that considers the advantage or disadvantage of taking no new action and thus keeping the current policy in place.

Question 41

Parallel situation

Answer 41

A similar condition in a related policy area that might provide ideas for what actions might be undertaken to address a problem

Question 42

Ideal situation

Answer 42

A reference used in policy analysis whereby a highly preferable or ideal goal or solution to a problem might be set.