Public Policy Basics
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Public Policy Basics

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Questions and Answers

What percentage of the total assessment is attributed to course work?

  • 60% (correct)
  • 40%
  • 70%
  • 50%

    • Which of the following is NOT listed as a do in the classroom guidelines?

  • Switch the ringing tone of your mobile phone to vibrating alert.
  • Leave the class if you are in the wrong course. (correct)
  • Express your opinions on issues under discussion.
  • Ask questions whenever you have doubts about the lectures.

    • How many weeks are dedicated to the public policy process in this course?

  • 4 weeks
  • 11 weeks (correct)
  • 6 weeks
  • 13 weeks

    • Which of the following is NOT a part of the course contents?

    <p>The social impacts of public policy</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is one reason given for why public policy is important?

    <p>It confers advantages and disadvantages.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which part of the course focuses on the relationship between politics and public policy?

    <p>Weeks 12-13</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which approach should students take if they find the assigned readings difficult?

    <p>Discuss problems with the instructor.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the total percentage of the final examination in the course assessment?

    <p>40%</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which aspect of power in public policy pertains to the ability to influence decision-making?

    <p>Influence on decision-making</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is necessary for effective and just governing according to public policy concepts?

    <p>Power, authority, and legitimacy</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In the context of representation, what must elected officials balance?

    <p>Constituent demands and personal convictions</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which factor is a crucial component of public interest in public policy?

    <p>Issues consensus among the majority</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What happens when there is no clear public interest according to public policy concepts?

    <p>Government must define and impose public interest</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What determines the path from rightful authority to brute force in governance?

    <p>The presence or absence of legitimacy</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How can power in public policy be described?

    <p>Contextual and relative</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a key debate regarding elected officials in a democracy?

    <p>Should they act as delegates or trustees?</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What distinguishes negative public policies?

    <p>They involve taking no action when government involvement is requested.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which aspect is NOT a key feature of Lynn's definition of public policy?

    <p>Public policymaking is a straightforward and linear process.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does Theodoulou and Kofinis define public policy?

    <p>As a composite of action and inaction based on political motivations.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following best describes public policy formulation?

    <p>A system influenced by formal and informal actors.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What are morality policies primarily concerned with?

    <p>Moral issues and values</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does public policy in its positive form rely on?

    <p>Formal and authoritative legal frameworks.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why is government intervention necessary in certain circumstances?

    <p>To address market failures</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which factors can influence the preference for action or inaction in public policy?

    <p>Ideological, partisan, or constituent interests.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which reason for government and public policy focuses on maintaining justice?

    <p>Upholding law, order, and justice</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What type of public policy could include decisions regarding military actions?

    <p>Defense policy</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What characteristic differentiates formal actors from informal actors in public policy?

    <p>Formal actors are associated with established political structures.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which statement about public policy action is true?

    <p>Policy inaction signifies a decision to perpetuate the status quo.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is NOT listed as a reason for the existence of public policies?

    <p>Promoting international trade</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What aspect distinguishes symbolic policies from material policies?

    <p>Their symbolic nature versus tangible impact</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which component is essential to define a public policy?

    <p>The outcomes it aims to achieve</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How can public policies help lessen the impact of market disorganization?

    <p>By providing stability and support in times of crisis</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which ideological group focuses primarily on individual liberty and minimal government intervention?

    <p>Libertarian</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What distinguishes a 'need' from a 'want' in public policy?

    <p>Needs require government intervention to fulfill, while wants do not.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which concept refers to the distribution of resources to achieve fairness in society?

    <p>Justice</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary consideration in assessing the effectiveness of public policies?

    <p>Policy outcomes</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which type of public policy primarily concerns the organization and procedures of government?

    <p>Constitutive policy</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What role do rights play in public policy?

    <p>They check governmental authority over individuals.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In discussions of equality, what is often debated alongside it?

    <p>Justice</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What are the two key criteria that policymakers frequently consider during the policymaking process?

    <p>Efficiency and effectiveness</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Public Policy: A Basic Understanding

    • Public policy refers to government actions or inactions designed to address societal issues.
    • Public policies can have positive or negative impacts on individuals and society as a whole.
    • Public policy is an output of a complex process involving various actors, including formal and informal players, and is influenced by numerous factors like societal and cultural influences.
    • Public policy includes decisions about action (changing the status quo) and inaction (maintaining the status quo)
    • Public policies are based on law and have authoritative power.

    Key Concepts in Public Policy

    • Power is a fundamental concept with three key aspects:
      • Influencing decision-making
      • Setting the agenda
      • Persuading and altering perceptions
    • Authority represents the rightful basis for compelling obedience, while legitimacy grants societal acceptance to wield that power.
    • Representation explores the balance between elected officials acting as delegates (following public demands) and trustees (using their own judgment).
    • Public Interest denotes the core concerns shared by most members of society, but finding a clear public interest can be challenging.
    • Needs and Rights highlight government's role in defining and addressing societal needs and protecting individual rights.
    • Equality and Justice grapple with the complex relationship between social justice and achieving a degree of equality.
    • Efficiency and Effectiveness are key values considered in policy-making, aiming to achieve desired outcomes with optimal resource utilization.

    Major Types of Public Policies

    • Constitutive policies establish government structures, rules, and procedures.
    • Distributive policies allocate resources and benefits—often based on need or merit.
    • Regulatory policies aim to control or influence individual or organizational behavior.
    • Redistributive policies involve transferring resources and benefits from one group to another, aiming to address inequalities.
    • Symbolic policies carry symbolic meaning and demonstrate government’s values without significant material changes.
    • Material policies directly affect individuals and organizations, potentially leading to tangible outcomes.
    • Morality policies address moral issues and values, often rooted in religious beliefs.

    The Significance of Public Policy

    • Market failures and the inherent limitations of profit maximization often necessitate government intervention and public policies.
    • Public policies are crucial for upholding law and order, preventing market harm, managing economic cycles, ensuring fair business practices, and providing essential public goods.

    Understanding the Ambivalence Towards Public Policies

    • The text suggests that while public policy plays a vital role in society, there is often mixed public sentiment and a lack of trust in government.
    • Exploring the reasons behind this mistrust is important.

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    Related Documents

    Week 1 Public Policy Study Notes PDF

    Description

    This quiz explores the fundamental concepts of public policy, including the processes, impacts, and key elements such as power, authority, and representation. Understand how government actions are designed to address societal issues and the various factors influencing policy decisions.

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