_ppa 200 midterm - Sheet1 Flashcards
(129 cards)
1
Q
Public Policy
A
what public officials within government choose to do or not do about public problems
2
Q
Public Administration
A
is the implementation of government policy
3
Q
Monopoly
A
the exclusive possession or control of the supply or trade in a commodity or service.
4
Q
Externalities
A
a side effect or consequence of an industrial or commercial activity that affects other parties without this being reflected in the cost of the goods or services involved
5
Q
Information asymmetry
A
sometimes referred to as information failure, is present whenever one party to an economic transaction possesses greater material knowledge than the other party
6
Q
Collective good
A
the general good of all people in a community, state, or nation.
7
Q
Federalism
A
a system of government in which sovereignty is divided between federal, state, an local units
8
Q
Checks and balances
A
one branch of government has some sort of power to check the others level
9
Q
Separation of Powers
A
the government broken into 3 parts- legislative, executive, and judicial
10
Q
Dual Federalism
A
theory that keeps the powers of the government separate, a 3 layered cake
11
Q
Cooperative Federalism
A
theory that allows the national government to be more involved in different state policies - marbled cake federalism
12
Q
Block Grants
A
transfers of federal dollars to the states, where states have substantial discretion in how to spend money to reach needs of the citizens
13
Q
Categorical Grants
A
transfers of federal dollars to the states where funding must be used for specific purposes
14
Q
unfunded mandates
A
federal requirements placed on state governments without sufficient funds for implementation
15
Q
Issue networks
A
term by : Hugh Heclo
16
Q
iron triangle
A
comprises the policy-making relationship among the congressional committees, the bureaucracy, and interest groups.
17
Q
interest groups
A
a group of people that seeks to influence public policy on the basis of a particular common interest or concern.
18
Q
policy process model
A
-define
19
Q
agenda setting
A
a step in policy process whereby policy actors attempt to get an issue seriously considered for public action
20
Q
policy evaluation
A
a step in policy process that assess whether policies and programs are working well
21
Q
policy implementation
A
the actual development of a programs details to ensure that policy goals and objectives will be attained
22
Q
policy formulation
A
a step in the policy process that results in the development of proposed courses of action to help resolve a public problem
23
Q
systemic agenda
A
issues the public is aware of an may be discussing
24
Q
governmental agenda
A
is a set of issues and policies laid out by ideological or political groups; as well as topics under discussion by a governmental executive, or a cabinet in government that tries to influence current and near-future political news
25
regulation
a rule or directive made and maintained by an authority.
26
subsidizing
support (an organization or activity) financially.
27
contracting
enter into a formal and legally binding agreement. decrease in size, number, or range.
28
policy analysis
to examine and evaluate the available options to implement the goals of laws and elected officials.
29
elite theory
policymaking theory that emphasizes how the values of preferences of governing elites affect public policy development.
30
group theory
policymaking theory that sees public policy as the product of a continuous struggle among organized interest
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institutional theory
policymaking theory that emphasizes the formal and legal aspects of government structure. Looking at the way govt are arranged, their legal powers, and their rules for decision making
32
Rational choice theory
a policymaking theory that draws heavily from economics, assumes that in making decisions, ind. are rational actors who seek to attain their preferences or further their self interests
33
Political systems theory
policymaking theory that stresses the way the political system responds to demands that arise from its environment. Emphasizes the larger social, economic, and cultural context in which political choices are made
34
policy legitimation
a step in the policy process that gives legal force to decisions or authorizes or justifies policy action.
35
distributive policies
policies that provide benefits to one category of individuals, everybody gets it
36
redistributive policies
policies that provide benefits to one category of individuals at the expense of another; often reflect ideological or class conflict (one group wins another loses)
37
root cause
the basic fundamental causes of public problems, sometimes referred to as underlying causes
38
proximate cause
the cause of public policy problems that are most direct or immediate, sometimes easier to handle
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consensual analysis
analysis based in the norms and values of the society in question, doesn't "rock the boat"
40
comprehensive analysis
Methodologically rigorous analysis designed to fully understand the nature of a problem and produce most vetted results.
41
short term analysis
Quicker analysis, factoring in less data for the purpose of producing the simplest and most pertinent answer
42
contentious analysis
Criticizes societal norms and proposes radical alternatives. Challenges commonly held beliefs, ideas and understandings.
43
Problem analysis
a series of methods that can be used to analyze causes of public problem, where they exist, what effects they have, and what might be done about them.
44
no-action analysis
a policy alternative that considers the advantages or disadvantages of taking no new action, and thus keeping current policy in place
45
issue framing
the practice in which policymakers and interest groups do whatever they can to set policy agenda in their favor by defining problems their way
46
policy design
a form pf policy analysis: occurs during policy formulation, considers how components of proposed policy fits together and how they are likely to work to fit a problem.
47
operational measures
A specific way to define and measure a policy problem, such as a rate of poverty or unemployment. Often useful when quantitative measures of problems are needed.
48
parallel situation
a similar condition in a related policy area that might provide ideas for what actions might be undertaken to address a problem
49
brainstorming
used to foster creativity in policy alternatives.
50
political attitudes
Individuals' views and preferences about public policies, political parties, candidates, government institutions, and public officials.
51
political habits
individuals tendencies to vote and what parties they tend to vote for
52
supply and demand perspective
two views on how to think about public problems:
53
contingent valuation methods
use of surveys to determine economic value that people place on certain goods or services for which there is no market value - used in cost benefit analysis
54
discount rate
a calculation made in conducting cost-benefit analysis that takes into account the changing value of a dollar overtime
55
impact assessment
a form of policy analysis that examines the likely effects or impacts of proposed or adopted policies
56
opportunity cost
common in economic analysis, one considers value of opportunity that are forgone when time or resources are spent on a given activity
57
risk assessment
calculation of the risks to society posed by a given situation, specialized form of policy analysis that can identify risks and estimate their severity.
58
risk management
describes public policies that are adopted to manage or control various risks.
59
risk evaluation
use of various methods to determine the level of risk that is acceptable to the public and policymakers how safe is safe enough?
60
forecasting
predict or estimate (a future event or trend).
61
ethical analysis
policy analysis that is based on ethical principles or norms, such as personal freedom or equality
62
implementation analysis
a form of policy analysis that examines the process and effects of implementing public policy. Can be used to anticipate, adopt, or document problems after policy has been put into place
63
program evaluation
focuses more on policy results or outcomes than on process of implementation, but the 2 together
64
deficit
the amount by which something, especially a sum of money, is too small.
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debt
something, typically money, that is owed or due.
66
GDP
the total value of goods produced and services provided in a country during one year.
67
CPI (Consumer Price Index)
s a measure that examines the weighted average of prices of a basket of consumer goods and services
68
CBO (Congressional Budget Office)
s a measure that examines the weighted average of prices of a basket of consumer goods and services
69
GAO (Governmental Accountability Office
is an agency of the U.S. government that monitors and audits government spending and operations
70
OMB (The office of Management and Budget)
s the business division of the Executive Office of the President of the United States that administers the United States federal budget and oversees the performance of federal agencies.
71
monetary policy
used by the federal reserve board to influence economic policy goals, attempts to control economic fluctuations through control of money circulation
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fiscal policy
the taxing and spending tools at the government's disposal to influence the economy.
73
What is the difference between public Policy and Public Administration?
Policy is the law/regulation, and administration is the actual enforcement/ application of it
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What are the tools of public policy?
Grants, Mandates, Taxes
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Policy Process model
agenda setting, policy formulation, policy legitimation, policy implementation, policy and program evaluation, policy change
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Policy Analysis Process
-Define and analyze the problem
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Evaluative Criteria for Policy Proposals
-efficiency -equity
-liberty/freedom
-political feasibility
-social acceptability
-administrative feasibility
-technical feasibility
78
Efficiency
using resources in such a way as to maximize the production of goods and services
79
Equity
a condition in which people receive from a relationship in proportion to what they give to it
80
Liberty/freedom
extent to which public policy extends or restricts privacy and individual rights and choices
81
political feasibility
A calculation of the likely acceptability to policymakers of proposed policy ideas or alternatives. Refers to whether elected officials are likely to support the idea.
82
social acceptability
the extent to which the public will accept and support a policy proposal
83
administrative feasibility
the likelihood that a department or agency can implement the policy well
84
Technical Feasibility
refers to whether existing information technology is likely to be able to meet the needs of the new system
85
components of problem analysis
-define the problem
86
Goals of Economic Policy
growth
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market failure
when the private market is not efficient; some argue that such a failure provides a justification for government intervention.
88
Tragedy of the commons
An economics problem in which every individual has an incentive to consume a resource, but at the expense of every other individual -- with no way to exclude anyone from consuming.
89
public good
same as collective good
90
what is the purpose of studying public policy?
- Improve citizens' ability to participate and make choices (more knowledge of policy issues and process)
91
What are the different types of context to consider when forming or studying public policy?
· Social: Societal changes (e.g., population changes)
92
Social context
Societal changes (e.g., population changes)
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Economic context
State of the economy (e.g., surplus vs. deficit)
94
Political context
Political/ideological issues (who is in power?)
95
Governing context
Structure of government (e.g., separation of powers)
96
Cultural context
Values, beliefs (e.g., red state vs. blue state)
97
purely private good
good for which consumption is rival and from which consumers can be excluded.
98
Pure public good
a good or service that can be consumed simultaneously by everyone and from which no one can be excluded.
99
official actor
participant in the policy process whose involvement is motivated by his or her official position in a government agency or office.
100
unofficial actor
participant in the process who does not have constitutionally, or legally created incentives or mandates be part of the process, such as researchers and reporters, all of whom are important to the policy process.
101
rational policymaking
Broad and thorough; time consuming. Logical sequence of steps:
102
Incremental policymaking
policy changes that occur in small steps; adjustments are made at the margins of existing policies through minor amendments or the gradual extension of a program's mandate or the groups it serves.
103
advantages of federalism
- Fosters State Loyalties: Many Americans feel close ties to their home state, and federalism maintains that connection by giving power to the states.
104
Disadvantages of Federalism
- Prevents The Creation Of A National Policy: The United States does not have a single policy on issues; instead, it has fifty-one policies, which often leads to confusion. - Leads To A Lack Of Accountability: The overlap of the boundaries among national and state governments makes it tricky to assign blame for failed policies.
105
How do informal actors affect policymaking?
Informal actors can advocate for policy issues by creating community around the things that matter to them; i.e. joining local civic organizations, book clubs, etc., or volunteer for a non-profit they are passionate about. They can also attend meetings and encourage others to speak up.
106
What is the role of public opinion in policymaking? The Media?
Interest groups, media, and public opinion help to frame, or "spin" problems.
107
How does our structure of government (checks and balances/separation of powers/federalism) affect public policy?
slows it down
108
policy tools
· Authority tools:
109
why is the policymaking process political?
Political systems theory explains that the way the political system responds to demands that arise from its environment. Emphasizes the larger social, economic, and cultural context in which political choices are made.
110
Why is problem definition essential in policy making?'
Problem definition is essential in policy making because it is needed to identify and implement the proper solution.
111
How does policy analysis fit into the policymaking cycle?
legitimation and implementation parts of the policymaking cycle.
112
Mandatory spending
all spending that does not take place through appropriations legislation
113
Discretionary spending
government spending implemented through an appropriations bill. This spending is an optional part of fiscal policy, in contrast to social programs for which funding is mandatory and determined by the number of eligible recipients.
114
Open market operations
an activity by a central bank to give liquidity in its currency to a bank or a group of banks
115
Continuing resolution
Legislation in the form of a joint resolution enacted by Congress, when the new fiscal year is about to begin or has begun, to provide budget authority for Federal agencies and programs to continue in operation until the regular appropriations acts are enacted.
116
Who are stakeholders in economic policy?
· Office of Management and Budget (OMB)
117
Identify criteria for evaluating economic policies.
· Cost-benefit analysis
118
Cost-benefit analysis
Financial savings compared to costs.
119
Cost-effectiveness analysis
same as cost/benefit; doesn't monetize benefits.
120
Who controls monetary policy?
The Federal Reserve Bank
121
who controls fiscal policy?
fiscal policy is directed by both the executive and legislative branches of the government. In the executive branch, the President and the Secretary of the Treasury, often with economic advisers' counsel, direct fiscal policies.
122
CBO vs. OBM
- CBO provides Congress with objective cost analyses to help with economic and budgetary decisions on the programs covered by the federal budget, including Defense, and the information and estimates required for the Congressional budget process.
123
federal budget process
Step 1: department and agencies submit proposals
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federal budget process step 1
department and agencies submit proposals
125
federal budget process step 2
The president submits his plan
126
federal budget process step 3
the house of representatives and the senate create budget resolutions
127
federal budget process step 4
Appropriations committees distribute funding
128
federal budget process step 5
chambers vote on appropriations bills
129
federal budget process step 6
The president signs the bills into law
