POL 3312 review Flashcards
How does the traditional budget process work?
The fiscal year begins October 1st to September 30th (in theory). In february or march you would have the President’s budget (prepare ones) comes from the office of management and budget presented to congress.
Then it goes to the appropiations committees in the House and Senate where there are 12 subcommittees that each focus on a particular aspect of the budget. The House and senate create their own budget resolutions, which must be negotiated and merged. Ideally the budget process should be done by the end of the summer. Following, floor debates and votes ensue (cannot be filibustered)
- Congress has no obligation to do anything with the President’s budget.
- to have filibuster, reconciliation must be classified in the senate.
How does Congress budget if a budget can’t be passed in time?
1)continuing resolutions to maintain status quo from last time a budget was passed.
2)senate parlimentarian can classify it as reconciliation.
1) can last a few weeks to 3-4 months, if not passed, you get government shutdown
2) vice president can override just seen as controversial/scandalous
A Major development in the History of the budget process?
the 1980 reconcilliation bill which provided that (for the first time) reconcilliation be used at the start of the budget process. Committees were required to forward legislation drafted specifically to reduce spending as required by the first budget resoulution. Presented in budget resolution (defines how where funds are being used in a particualr bill). Must be approved by the House and Senate and include reconcilliation instructions. Then budget committees in both chambers congress create the reconcilliation bill. debate is limited to 20 hours (no filibuster). Once passed, president can sign or veto.
-first introduced under the congressional budget act of 1974
-is deficit altering
check pg. 396 for more info
Mandatory spending and examples
Cannot be changed through the appropiations process and makes 62% of the budget. Examples include entitlement spending such as: Medicaid, TANF, Medicare, federal spending on student loan programs, federal pensions, etc.
- mandated spending
-only way to increase or decrease spending, is through the regular legislative process
Discretionary spending and examples
Makes up approx 37% of the budget and can be controlled through the yearly appropriations process. Examples include: defense (takes up half of the budget), research (medical, nature), transportation and infrastructure, NASA, veteran medical benefits, certain type of aid programs (housing heating subsidies), national parks, the arts, federal law enforcement.
- non-essential spendings
Presidential advantage in foreign policy arena
The President has commander in chief power, more centralized power, access to classified information, and sometimes has a public opinion advantage over congress.
1) commander in chief power has been interpreted broadly power over time by the supreme court.
2) Centralized power, allows the power to act quickly and unilaterally
3) classified information never shared with Congress
4) Rally around the flag effect - public supports the president in response to a percieved foreign threat.
Whats distinctive about the politics of foreign policy in congress
1) Involved in parts of the appropriations process having to do with foreign policy
2) Ratification of treaties
3) Confirmation of diplomats/ambassadors (senate only)
4) Declaration of War
5) “Raise and support” armies/navies
6) Regulation of foreign trade
What is justice?
Giving people what they deserve. There are three ways to conceptualize this concept.
Equality based notion of justice
treating everyone the same
ex. Due process rights (in theory), Miranda rights, access to an attorney, protection against cruel and unusual punishment, bill of rights.
Need based notion of justice
Treat people differently based on their needs. Ex. Medicaid, financial aid, welfare, progressive taxation.
Contribution based notion of justice
Give people more based on them contributing more to society (treat people differently based on contributions to society). ex. Altruistic occupation, student discount, tax deductible, charitable donations, social security, merid based immigration.
Market effectiveness
Is private delivery (the government leaves the choice as to what people are to do, what goods they are to recieve, and so on, up to the people to choose for themelves, through their exchanges of goods and services with each other Strengths include efficiency, innovation, the and the ability to tailor outcomes more specifically to preferences. Weaknesses include the perpetuation of inequality and the free- rider problem.
-free rider problem - is getting the benefits without even having to pay for them
Authority based notions of effectiveness
Is government delivered. A strength includes moral equal distribution and better able to manage negative externalities. Iess innovative and efficient.
Bounded rationality
Explains why the top down model does not work. Limits on any politicians ability to create policy in line with the expectations of the top down model.
undermines the content/theory behind the top down model
factors that result in bounded rationality: wealth/being out of touch, polarization, re-election goals, inconsistent facts, time limitations.
Top Down model
Look at the people at the top of the hierarchy to analyze a policy (highest level of decision-making authority). Explanation of model is dependent on having clear hierarchies of authority, clear directions, and clear understanding of cause and effect.
Bottom up model
Look at “street level” bureaucrats lower level implements. Look at the people we directly interact with. Based on who you interact with lower in the chain and the idea that the top down model does not work due to lack of accountability, lack of access to the people who create policies, and bounded rationality.
