Exam Questions: Various Flashcards

(32 cards)

1
Q

What is social policy?

Give 5 examples

A
What governments chose to do or not to do
About the well-being of people
Housing
Health
Environment
Transport
Education
Welfare
Economy
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2
Q

What are the different forms that social policy can come in?

Name at least 3

A
Proposal
Decision of government
Formal authorisation
A programme
An output
An outcome
A field of activity eg. education
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3
Q

Who are the key actors involved in the policy making process?

A
Ministers
MPs
Departments and officials
Judiciary
Interest groups
Citizens/stakeholders
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4
Q

Can you name the 5 stages of the policy cycle?

A
Agenda setting - where ideas come from, command govt attention
Formulating policy - fleshing out issues
Making decisions - to act or not
Implementation
Evaluation
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5
Q

What is involved in formulating policy?

A

Working out the issue/s
Identifying solutions, possible actions
Assessing consequences
Consulting with stakeholders/interest groups

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6
Q

When are policies evaluated?

A

Once in place

While they are being implemented or after implementation

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7
Q

Name 3 strengths of the policy cycle

A

Useful tool
Imposes order
Identifies progress

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8
Q

Name 3 weaknesses of the policy cycle

A

Not rational
Assumes value free
Doesn’t show complexity or people involvement

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9
Q

What are the 2 different types of constitutions which countries can have?

A

Written or unwritten

NZ is not formally codified

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10
Q

Name 3 places where you could locate parts of NZ’s constitution

A
T.O.W.
Common Law
Statutes
Electoral Act 1993
Constitution Act 1986
Official Information Act 1988
State Sector Act 1988
Bill of Rights Act 1990
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11
Q

What are the 3 branches of government and what does each do?

A

Legislature - makes law
Executive - initiates and administers law
Judiciary - applies law (develops common law)

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12
Q

What does the term ‘responsible government mean?

A
Ministers must be elected MPs
Government needs support
Confidence of the House
Political executive must be drawn from the House
Single parliamentary chamber
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13
Q

What does unicameral mean?

A

Single chamber - just House of Representatives

As opposed to double which has senate and House of Representatives

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14
Q

What is the role and function of Parliament?

A

Passing law
Royal assent (by GG)
Scrutinising the executive
Parliament makes law and holds the government to account for its policies, actions, and spending

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15
Q

What word do we use to describe the Political Executive and what do they do?

A

Cabinet

Location of agenda setting and decision making

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16
Q

What is the Administrative Executive and what do they do?

A

Public sector - implements policy/law and may evaluate, advise

Are accountable to ministers, financial reviews of spending

17
Q

What are the 4 different types of Bills that can be passed through Parliament?

A

Government Bills
Member Bills
Local Bills
Private Bills

18
Q

Name the stages of the legislative process (there’s 6)

A
Intro - first reading
Select Committee
Second reading
Committee
Third reading
Royal assent
19
Q

What does proportionality mean?

A

Should reflect party make up

20
Q

What are the steps involved in a committee processing a Bill?

A
Call for submissions
Briefing from officials
Hearing the evidence
Consider Department report
Ask council to draft amendments
Commentary - report
21
Q

Who are the judiciary and what role do they play?

A

The courts

Administer law and interpret meaning of law

22
Q

What does it mean to have separation of powers?

A

Judicial independence

Security of tenure

23
Q

What is MMP and when did it come into effect in NZ?

A

Mixed Member Proportional
1993 Referendum
1996 Implementation

24
Q

What are the 4 types of government you can have under MMP?

A

Single party majority
Coalition majority
Single party minority
Coalition minority

25
What are the key differences between First Past the Post (FFP) and Mixed Member Proportional (MMP)?
FFP - 1 person = 1 vote (electorate vote). Person with the most votes wins the seat. Larger party usually wins a share of seats larger than their share of all votes across the country (120 seats). MMP - 120 seats. 70 electorates - each elects an MP, other MPs are elected from party lists (List MPs). 2 votes = party, electorate. Political party must win 1 electorate or 5% of party votes.
26
Why are coalition agreements so important?
May enable government to get confidence + supply votes. | Sets structure for agenda setting and decision making on particular issues
27
What are the functions of political parties?
Provide representation - electoral + political party Offer choice Machinery of politics Speak up for local concerns
28
What political parties currently have seats in Parliament?
7 Parties in 51st Parliament Green, Labour, National, NZ First, Act, Maori, United Future
29
Describe a left wing versus right wing political system
Collectivist Universalism Strong welfare state Individual Market Minimal state Safety net
30
How do interest groups differ from political parties?
Not political parties No need for membership Private Not in parliament
31
Why are interest groups important and what role do they perform?
Opportunity to have collective influence - chance to have a say - shared interests - lobbying political parties and MPs
32
What are the main differences between a two party and multiparty political system?
2 party - majoritarian, elected 'dictatorship', speed to get legislation through. Multiparty - many parties; slower for decision making, and implementation, more voices, contested.