Chapters 6-10 Flashcards
(42 cards)
Public Policy ?
Government’s choices of action intended to serve the public purposes.
In what ways are public policies expressed? (3)
-Formal Government Actions (Laws/Ordinances).
-Unformal Government Actions (Goals/desires).
-Judicial (Court decisions).
T/F: Public Administrators, at all levels within an organization, play a
crucial role in public policy-making, due to their specialized
knowledge, training and experience.
True
T/F: In general, the more benign a policy issue is, the more important
the role of administrators.
False; In general, the more complex a policy issue is, the more important
the role of administrators.
T/F: A good analysis process creates knowledge, facts, justification,
trust and, finally, a rationale for which alternative should be chosen.
True
T/F: Successful implementation creates organizational confidence,
trust in the administrators and willingness to do less.
False; Successful implementation creates organizational confidence,
trust in the administrators and willingness to do more.
Types of Government Executives ? (3)
- Elected chief executive
- elected officials
- Other high level administrators
Management ?
Operating an organization according to current standards and rules at
maximum efficiency.
T/F: Leadership is Management.
False
Leadership ?
social influence towards the achievement of a goal.
Power ?
The ability to get things done or to prevent things from getting done.
Sources of Power ?
Legal authority / Influence over others
Key sources of influence ?
- Expertise / experience
- The more complex an issue is – the more staff will be listened to
- Support or cooperation
What’s the Most Important Source of Influence of Public Administrators ?
Trust
Where does trust come from ?
- Good (hopefully great) past performance
- Clear communication, to all involved
- Demonstrating sensitivity and awareness to
decision-makers - Reputation for honesty
Rational Decision making model ?
- Viewed as the preferred model
- Follows a rational / logical thought process
- Clear Goals – Clear Alternatives – Analysis of Alternatives –
Decision - Includes limited politics, personal benefit, or public/media
emotion or opinion
Incremental Decision making model ?
A process of successive, incremental decisions leading to
overall improvement of an issue or goal.
Administrative resources ?
People
Money
Time
Group Think ?
A decision making process where the goal of reaching full consensus
within a group becomes more important than realistically analyzing
alternative courses of action and making the correct decision.
How is a federal government budget approved ?
President Proposes budget
Congress approves budget
National Debt ?
The total of all money the Federal government has borrowed over
time to pay for annual deficits.
Total Current national Debt ? (2018 stats)
$31 Trillion
T/F: Interest payments represent, therefore, money that cannot be
spent on other programs in the Federal budget (5% of entire
budget)
True
Mandatory Expenditures ?
Spending required by law from Congress.
