Chapter 3: Theories of public policy

Question 1

Narrow view of health policy

Answer 1

Policies specifying how the health care system should be structured and run

Question 2

Wide view of health policy

Answer 2

Policies in a non-health domain that can affect individual and population health

Question 3

Levels of policy

Answer 3

Micro, meso and macro views

Question 4

Micro view

Answer 4

Routine day-to-day government operations
Add to what already exists

Question 5

Example of health care policy under micro view

Answer 5

Increasing funding to community health centres

Question 6

Health-related public policy under micro view

Answer 6

Increasing housing subsidy amounts for tenants

Question 7

Meso view

Answer 7

Operation of mid-level institutions like advisory boards or government departments
Expanding on what already exists

Question 8

Example of health care policy under meso view

Answer 8

Creating a telehealth line

Question 9

Example of health-related public policy under meso view

Answer 9

Changing eligibility requirements for social assistance

Question 10

Macro view

Answer 10

Broad issues like the general shape of political systems and how power is wielded
How ideologies affect the functions of government

Question 11

Example of health care policy under macro view

Answer 11

Creation of public private partnerships

Question 12

Example of health-related public policy under macro view

Answer 12

Creation of a national daycare program

Question 13

Main aspects of pluralism

Answer 13

Interest groups are the most important unit of analysis
Groups vie for power and access to achieve goals and objectives
State neutrally mediates diverse social and economic interests

Question 14

What does pluralism suppose?

Answer 14

That all groups have equal access so policy output is a rational balancing of interests

Question 15

What theory is the most influential in the Western societies?

Answer 15

Pluralism

Question 16

What theory is the dominant understanding of advocacy groups trying to influence policy?

Answer 16

Pluralism

Question 17

Two models of pluralism

Answer 17

1. Easton’s model of the political system
2. Kingdon’s policy stream convergence

Question 18

Easton’s model of the political system

Answer 18

Shows the different inputs into the political system with the government at the centre being neutral to all interests in society

Question 19

Kingdon’s policy stream convergence

Answer 19

Three streams
1. Problem identification
2. Policy proposals
3. Politics

Question 20

Problem identification stream of Kingdon’s model

Answer 20

Government decides which problems require action

Question 21

Policy proposals stream of Kingdons model

Answer 21

Interest groups demands

Question 22

Political stream of Kingdon’s model

Answer 22

Political ideology influences which issues will gain acceptance
Politicians may vote against a bill if it doesn’t fit their political beliefs

Question 23

Critiques of pluralism

Answer 23

Fails to consider role of political power or ideology
Too simplistic (obscures a complicated reality)
Political process is seen as consensual and conflict free (not true)
Government parties shut out perspectives of other groups
Doesn’t help understand health inequalities

Question 24

New institutionalism

Answer 24

Some pluralist features but adds how institutions influence political discourse/debate and policy outcomes

Question 25

Political institution

Answer 25

State and government structures that develop over time and persist

Question 26

What can institutions be?

Answer 26

Formal rules of operation
Organizational structures
Standard operating procedures

Question 27

What political views does new institutionalism focus on?

Answer 27

Micro and meso levels

Question 28

Sub-types of new institutionalism

Answer 28

1. Historical institutionalism
2. Rational choice institutionalism
3. Sociological institutionalism

Question 29

Historical institutionalism

Answer 29

Traces how the past decisions of institutions shaped the future

Question 30

Rational choice institutionalism

Answer 30

Economic position of political actors

Question 31

Sociological institutionalism

Answer 31

How culture and norms have influenced policy change

Question 32

Critiques of new institutionalism

Answer 32

Institutions constrain change, so they are not the best unit of analysis for explaining change
Minimizes degree of policy change possible
Imp to examine other social, political and economic forces

Question 33

Political economy approach

Answer 33

Focused on economic, political and social structures that influence the distribution of power and resources in a society
**considers political power and the influence of political ideology on policy change

Question 34

What is the political economy approach concerned with?

Answer 34

The mode of production

Question 35

The mode of production

Answer 35

How goods and services are made and distributed

Question 36

What type of mode of production do we use?

Answer 36

Capitalist

Question 37

Feminist political economy

Answer 37

Considers how the political, economic and social organization of health structures opportunities for health for women

Question 38

The main tenants of neoliberalism

Answer 38

1. Markets perceived as most efficient in production and distribution of resources
2. Societies are comprised of autonomous individuals
3. Competition is primary source of innovation

Question 39

Other aspects of neoliberalism

Answer 39

Governments should be small
Taxes should be low
There should be few government regulations
Goal of society should be economic growth

Question 40

What approach is most similar to the views of pleuralism?

Answer 40

Consensus theory

Question 41

What is a predominant belief about policy change in Canada?

Answer 41

Policymakers neutrally mediate the demands of interest groups

Question 42

Commodification

Answer 42

Selling of goods and services including health care

Question 43

Critical theory is to _______ , as political economy is to _____________.

Answer 43

Positivism, pluralism

Question 44

Neoliberalism

Answer 44

Political ideology that favours the market as the vehicle for fostering economic growth and innovation

Question 45

Role of citizens in pluralism

Answer 45

Join groups and organizations to gain power and influence political process
Access government through elections

Question 46

What conception of society is pluralism consistent with?

Answer 46

Liberal- all citizens participate in political process