Questions and Answers
What is majoritarian policy making, and how might this impact policy making more in a president's first term than in the second term?
Majoritarian policy making emerges from the interaction of people with the government to implement the will of the majority. A president in his first term is more likely to follow majoritarian policy making to seek reelection, while in the second term, the president may deviate from popular opinion due to lack of reelection concerns.
How do interest groups impact policy making?
Interest groups fund candidates supporting their agendas, provide sympathetic testimony at hearings, and advocate for specific policies to satisfy their members.
Briefly explain how the policy agenda process develops, and mention why change usually comes incrementally instead of abruptly.
The policy agenda process develops when an issue gains public attention, prompting Congress to investigate it. Relevant committees hear expert testimonies and then formulate a policy. Change comes incrementally because the most passable ideas are prioritized over sweeping reforms.
What options exist for people to oppose a policy after it has been enacted?
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What are the three conflicting desires most of us have for government finances?
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What are the basic beliefs of Keynesian fiscal policy, and what do they believe the government should do to assist the economy?
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In Keynesian economics, what is the multiplier effect?
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What are the basic beliefs of supply-side economic policy, and what do they believe the government should do to assist the economy?
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What impact did Pollock v. Farmers' Loan and Trust (1892) have on government policy, and how was the court decision nullified?
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What is a progressive tax?
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What is monetary policy, and what would a monetarist say is the cause for inflation?
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Study Notes
Majoritarian Policy Making
- Majoritarian policy making represents the will of the majority and involves interaction between citizens and government.
- Presidents are more likely to adopt majoritarian policies in their first term to secure re-election.
- In the second term, presidents may stray from popular opinion since they cannot seek re-election.
Interest Groups and Policy Making
- Interest groups influence policy by funding candidates aligned with their agendas.
- Experts from these groups provide testimony in legislative hearings to advocate for specific policies.
- They vigorously push for initiatives that benefit their members and reflect their philosophies.
Development of the Policy Agenda
- The policy agenda process begins with an issue gaining public attention.
- Congress may investigate issues of concern to better understand them, leading to expert testimonies before relevant committees.
- Policies are gradually formulated through discussion and drafting of legislation, resulting in incremental rather than abrupt changes.
Opposition to Enacted Policies
- Citizens can oppose enacted policies by initiating referendums, allowing voters to decide on the policy directly.
Conflicting Desires in Government Finances
- Three main desires regarding government financing: popular sovereignty, individualism, and republicanism.
Keynesian Fiscal Policy
- Keynesian economics argues that government spending and taxation directly impact aggregate demand.
- The theory suggests government intervention is necessary when demand is low, recommending increased spending and reduced taxes.
Multiplier Effect in Keynesian Economics
- The multiplier effect describes how an increase in spending can lead to a larger overall growth in the economy compared to the initial spending change.
Supply-Side Economic Policy
- Supply-side economics posits that higher consumer spending leads to increased government revenue through sales, income, and corporate taxes.
- Advocates argue that reducing taxes and empowering individuals stimulate economic growth and increase overall government revenue.
Impact of Pollock v. Farmers' Loan and Trust (1892)
- The Supreme Court declared income taxes unconstitutional as the Constitution did not grant Congress that power.
- The ruling was overturned with the ratification of the Sixteenth Amendment in 1913, permitting income taxation.
Progressive Tax
- A progressive tax system, like the national income tax, imposes higher tax rates on individuals with higher incomes.
Monetary Policy and Inflation
- Monetary policy refers to government management of currency supply and demand, influencing the dollar's value.
- Monetarist theory attributes inflation to an excessive amount of dollars in circulation.
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Description
Explore the dynamics of majoritarian policy making, the role of interest groups in influencing policy, and the development of the policy agenda. This quiz covers how presidents' actions may differ across terms and highlights the importance of public attention on policy issues.
