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Questions and Answers
What does the Constitution define?
What does the Constitution define?
The Constitution defines the principles and rules of the government.
What are the two types of centralization of the government?
What are the two types of centralization of the government?
Which branch of government interprets the law?
Which branch of government interprets the law?
What is a supernational institution?
What is a supernational institution?
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What is an intergovernmental institution?
What is an intergovernmental institution?
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Which of the following is NOT a difference between supernational and intergovernmental institutions?
Which of the following is NOT a difference between supernational and intergovernmental institutions?
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Which of the following is a characteristic of policy actors?
Which of the following is a characteristic of policy actors?
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Which of the following is a public actor?
Which of the following is a public actor?
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Which of the following is NOT a private actor?
Which of the following is NOT a private actor?
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What is an epistemic community?
What is an epistemic community?
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What is a meritocratic system?
What is a meritocratic system?
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What is a spoils system?
What is a spoils system?
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A meritocratic system is based on political loyalty.
A meritocratic system is based on political loyalty.
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A spoils system is based on expertise and technical skills.
A spoils system is based on expertise and technical skills.
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Study Notes
Constitutional Principles and Government Structures
- A constitution defines the principles and rules for a government's operation.
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Centralization of government can occur in two ways:
- Unitarianism: A single, central government holds all power.
- Federalism: Power is divided between multiple levels of government, sharing sovereignty.
- The three branches of power (legislative, executive, and judicial) are crucial for a balanced government. Each branch has a distinct role and limits on another, promoting accountability.
International Institutions and Actors
- Supernational institutions have the power to create and enforce laws directly affecting member states, like the EU. Benefits include addressing transnational issues, but come with a cost of reduced national sovereignty.
- Intergovernmental institutions are formed from voluntary cooperation and coordination among member states without giving up any sovereignty.
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Supernational vs. Intergovernmental institutions can be distinguished by their power structures.
- Sovereignty: Member states give up some vs keep all sovereignty.
- Authority: direct authority vs consensus decision-making.
- Decision-making: Majority voting vs consensus.
Public Policy Actors and Systems
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Policy actors are those that influence policy and share key characteristics:
- Capabilities: Possessing resources and influence.
- Perceptions: Understanding and defining societal problems.
- Preferences: Having goals and values driving participation in the policy process.
- Public actors in policy include the executive branch and specific ministerial structures like those focused on healthcare or education.
- Private actors are interest groups, social movements, and expert communities (epistemic communities), all working to influence policy. Corporations often lobby for their preferred outcomes.
- Epistemic communities are groups of experts who share knowledge and specific approaches to problems.
- Meritocratic systems of bureaucracy are based on expertise and skills.
- Spoils systems are based on political loyalty and connections.
- These two different systems represent contrasting approaches to staffing and managing public administration.
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Description
Lecture 2 reading 2
