Chapter 12: Public Policymaking in Texas

Question 1

The study of “who gets what, when, and how” through competition an opportunity

Answer 1

politics

Question 2

A planned or deliberate course of action for dealing with a problem or issue through governing action

Answer 2

Public policy

Question 3

Collects resources primarily through taxation from across a broad base in society and those resources are allocated to targeted areas

Answer 3

Distributive policy

Question 4

Collects resources from those with higher income levels and allocates funding to those who fall within a lower income threshold

Answer 4

Re-distributive policy

Question 5

Protects the public by establishing rules and guidelines for business practices

Answer 5

Regulatory policy

Question 6

How is politics defined?

A. A planned or deliberate course of action for dealing with a problem or issue through governing action

B. Members of the policy community elected to deal with government issues

C. The study of “who gets what, when, and how”

D. Problem recognition for issues that merit government attention

Answer 6

C. The study of “who gets what, when, and how”

Question 7

Members in the policy community include:

A. Only lawmakers
B. Government, interest groups, and individuals
C. Only interest groups
D. Only media

Answer 7

B. Government, interest groups, and individuals

Question 8

What is public policy?

A. A planned or deliberate course of action for dealing with a problem or issue through governing action

B. The study of “who gets what, when, and how”

C. Problem recognition for issues that merit government attention

D. A set of issues policymakers believe are important to address

Answer 8

A. A planned or deliberate course of action for dealing with a problem or issue through governing action

Question 9

Election fraud as an issue:

A. is highly partisan

B. not an issue of concern for politicians

C. not an issue of concern for politicians, interest groups, or individuals

D. does not merit address

Answer 9

A. is highly partisan

Question 10

Members of the policy community compete to:

A. Frame and shape policy issues

B. Implement their policy preference(s)

C. Gain attention on a policy issue

D. All of the above

Answer 10

D. All of the above

Question 11

___ policy collects resources from those with higher income levels and allocates funding to those who fall within a lower income threshold.

A. Distributive
B. Redistributive
C. Regulatory
D. Public
E. Politics

Answer 11

B. Redistributive

Question 12

___ collects resources primarily through taxation from across a broad base in society and those resources are allocated to targeted areas.

A. Distributive
B. Redistributive
C. Regulatory
D. Public
E. Politics

Answer 12

A. Distributive

Question 13

___ policy protects the public by establishing rules and guidelines for business practices.

A. Distributive
B. Redistributive
C. Regulatory
D. Public
E. Politics

Answer 13

C. Regulatory

Question 14

The Supplement Nutrition Assistance Program is an example of ___ policy.

A. Distributive
B. Redistributive
C. Regulatory
D. Public
E. Politics

Answer 14

B. Redistributive

Question 15

Environmental policies is an example of ___ policy.

A. Distributive
B. Redistributive
C. Regulatory
D. Public
E. Politics

Answer 15

C. Regulatory

Question 16

The method public officials seek to achieve their goal of dealing with a problem or issue

Answer 16

policymaking process

Question 17

Recognizes that a problem exists that requires government intervention

Answer 17

problem identification

Question 18

Consists of a set of issues policymakers believe should receive their attention

Answer 18

agenda-setting

Question 19

The convergence of the problem, policy, and politics streams opens the opportunity policy window for achieving agenda status.

Three streams:
1. The existence of a problem

2. Policy proposals for solving the problem
3. The political motivation for tackling the problem

Answer 19

Multiple Streams Framework

Question 20

The process where problems decline in focus and support

Answer 20

issue-attention cycle

Question 21

Consists of those issues that are believed to be important by political actors and merit the attention of policymakers

Answer 21

systemic agenda

Question 22

The narrow list of issues policymakers are in strong support of

Answer 22

institutional agenda

Question 23

Consists of developing alternative proposals to address a problem or issue

Answer 23

policy formulation

Question 24

Involves the selection of government action to respond to a problem or issue

Answer 24

policy adoption

Question 25

Involves a chosen law that is put into action to deal with a problem or issue

Answer 25

policy implementation

Question 26

Assesses the law to determine how well the law meets its objectives and goals

Answer 26

policy evaluation

Question 27

Numerical presentation of policy outcomes

Answer 27

absolute evaluation

Question 28

Seeks to add context or a frame of reference of policy outcomes

Answer 28

relative evaluation

Question 29

This stage in the policymaking process includes a set of issues that policymakers believe are important to address. A. Problem identification B. Agenda-setting C. Policy formulation D. Policy adoption

Answer 29

B. Agenda-setting

Question 30

This stage in the policymaking process assesses the effectiveness of the policy. A. Problem identification B. Policy formulation C. Policy evaluation D. Policy adoption

Answer 30

C. policy evaluation

Question 31

___ is the process lawmakers use to address issues. A. Public policy B. Laws C. Policymaking D. Policy assessment

Answer 31

C. Policymaking

Question 32

This stage in the policymaking process recognizes the existence of an issue that needs government to deal with. A. Problem identification B. Agenda-setting C. Policy formulation D. Policy implementation

Answer 32

A. Problem identification

Question 33

The ___ includes three factors or streams that must converge before agenda status is achieved. A. Stream theory B. Agenda-setting C. Issue-attention D. Multiple Streams Framework

Answer 33

D. Multiple Streams Framework

Question 34

This stage in the policymaking process enacts a policy action to deal with an issue. A. Problem identification B. Policy formulation C. Policy evaluation D. Policy adoption

Answer 34

D. policy adoption

Question 35

___ is a type of policy evaluation analysis addressing the impact of a law. A. Systemic agenda B. Institutional agenda C. Absolute evaluation D. Relative evaluation

Answer 35

D. Relative evaluation

Question 36

This stage in the policymaking process develops policy proposals or options for how to deal with a problem. A. Problem identification B. Agenda-setting C. Policy formulation D. Policy evaluation

Answer 36

C. Policy formulation

Question 37

This stage in the policymaking process puts a chosen policy into action. A. Problem identification B. Agenda-setting C. Policy implementation D. Policy formulation

Answer 37

C. Policy implementation

Question 38

The agenda that public officials believe have the best chance of becoming law. A. Systemic agenda B. Institutional agenda C. Issue-attention D. Interest group agenda

Answer 38

B. Institutional agenda

Question 39

Emphasizes the competing interests of groups vying for government attention and resources

Answer 39

group theory

Question 40

A theoretical framework that claims a small ruling minority holds power

Answer 40

elite theory

Question 41

A theoretical framework where policy outcomes depend on policy input, demands, and support

Answer 41

political systems theory

Question 42

A theoretical framework that involves small, incremental steps to the policymaking

Answer 42

incrementalism

Question 43

Promotes maximizing benefits and preferred outcomes in the policy-making process

Answer 43

rational-choice

Question 44

A multitude of diverse interest in American polity that compete to influence public policy

Answer 44

pluralist society

Question 45

The ___ theory claims the power is held by a small number of individuals. A. Pluralism B. Elite C. Group D. Incrementalism

Answer 45

B. Elite

Question 46

C. Wright Mills believes ___ hold the most power to influence public policy. A. Interest groups B. People C. Political parties D. Corporations

Answer 46

D. Corporations

Question 47

___ argues that policy changes occurs in small, piecemeal steps. A. Incrementalism B. Political systems theory C. Elite theory D. Rational-choice theory

Answer 47

A. Incrementalism

Question 48

___ seeks to maximize benefits for political actors. A. Group theory B. Political systems theory C. Elite theory D. Rational-choice theory

Answer 48

D. Rational-choice theory

Question 49

___ approaches policymaking by considering inputs, demands, and outputs on the political system. A. Group theory B. Political systems theory C. Elite theory D. Political-administrative dichotomy

Answer 49

B. Political systems theory

Question 50

Gun rights legislation: A. is a highly partisan issue B. is a very divisive issue C. reduces restrictions is favored by conservatives D. All of the above

Answer 50

D. All of the above

Question 51

Energy reform policy: A. Visibility depends on how much attention is given to the issue B. Reaching institutional agenda status depends on the level of impact C. Achieving institutional agenda status depends on the visibility level D. All of the above

Answer 51

D. All of the above

Question 52

Election reform legislation: A. Receives bipartisan support for widespread mail-in balloting B. Receives low visibility C. Reduces restrictions are favored by liberals D. Reduces restrictions are favored by conservatives

Answer 52

C. Reduces restrictions are favored by liberals

Question 53

Infrastructure law: A. Visibility depends on how much attention is given to the issue B. Reaching institutional agenda status depends on impact level C. Achieving institutional agenda status depends on the visibility level D. All of the above

Answer 53

D. All of the above

Question 53

Criminal justice reform: A. is a highly partisan issue B. is influenced by national criminal justice issues C. may not receive the necessary legislative support for policy adoption of reform measures D. All of the above

Answer 53

D. All of the above

Question 54

The ___ draws a distinction between the role of politics and the implementation of laws in the policymaking process.

Answer 54

Political-administrative dichotomy

Question 55

Institutional agenda differs from the systemic agenda regarding:

Answer 55

issues that have the best opportunity to be addressed by the legislature

Question 56

David Easton's political systems model details:

Answer 56

policy inputs, supply, and demands for policy action

Question 57

Budgetary resources are often required for policies to deal effectively with the problem. True or False

Answer 57

True

Question 58

The importance of relative evaluation involve:

Answer 58

providing a complete and fair assessment of a policy

Question 59

C. Wright Mills believed which group has the most powerful influence on public policy?

Answer 59

Corporations

Question 60

Policy areas that are critical to the people of Texas will always be addressed by policymakers. True or False

Answer 60

False

Question 61

House Concurrent Resolution 66 condemning racism against Asian American and Pacific Islanders:

Answer 61

expresses an opinion and thoughts supported by members of both parties

Question 62

Which theoretical perspective best represents the way policy change happens?

Answer 62

Incremental

Question 63

What individual is credited with first applying rational-choice theory?

Answer 63

Anthony Downs

Question 64

John Kingdon's agenda-setting model argues:

Answer 64

a problem, policy proposals, and motivation to solve the issue must be present to achieve agenda status

Question 65

A pluralist society emphasizes:

Answer 65

representation of groups' interests in the policymaking process

Question 66

The rational-choice theory seeks to:

Answer 66

maximize benefits and outcomes

Question 67

___ definition of politics descriptively helps one understand the importance of issue frame, resource allocation, and maximizing political opportunity.

Answer 67

Harold Lasswell

Question 68

Partisan polarizing issues:

Answer 68

may reach agenda status depending on the social, economic, and political environments