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Questions and Answers
What percentage of the total assessment is attributed to course work?
What percentage of the total assessment is attributed to course work?
Which of the following is NOT listed as a do in the classroom guidelines?
Which of the following is NOT listed as a do in the classroom guidelines?
How many weeks are dedicated to the public policy process in this course?
How many weeks are dedicated to the public policy process in this course?
Which of the following is NOT a part of the course contents?
Which of the following is NOT a part of the course contents?
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What is one reason given for why public policy is important?
What is one reason given for why public policy is important?
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Which part of the course focuses on the relationship between politics and public policy?
Which part of the course focuses on the relationship between politics and public policy?
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Which approach should students take if they find the assigned readings difficult?
Which approach should students take if they find the assigned readings difficult?
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What is the total percentage of the final examination in the course assessment?
What is the total percentage of the final examination in the course assessment?
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Which aspect of power in public policy pertains to the ability to influence decision-making?
Which aspect of power in public policy pertains to the ability to influence decision-making?
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What is necessary for effective and just governing according to public policy concepts?
What is necessary for effective and just governing according to public policy concepts?
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In the context of representation, what must elected officials balance?
In the context of representation, what must elected officials balance?
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Which factor is a crucial component of public interest in public policy?
Which factor is a crucial component of public interest in public policy?
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What happens when there is no clear public interest according to public policy concepts?
What happens when there is no clear public interest according to public policy concepts?
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What determines the path from rightful authority to brute force in governance?
What determines the path from rightful authority to brute force in governance?
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How can power in public policy be described?
How can power in public policy be described?
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What is a key debate regarding elected officials in a democracy?
What is a key debate regarding elected officials in a democracy?
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What distinguishes negative public policies?
What distinguishes negative public policies?
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Which aspect is NOT a key feature of Lynn's definition of public policy?
Which aspect is NOT a key feature of Lynn's definition of public policy?
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How does Theodoulou and Kofinis define public policy?
How does Theodoulou and Kofinis define public policy?
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Which of the following best describes public policy formulation?
Which of the following best describes public policy formulation?
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What are morality policies primarily concerned with?
What are morality policies primarily concerned with?
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What does public policy in its positive form rely on?
What does public policy in its positive form rely on?
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Why is government intervention necessary in certain circumstances?
Why is government intervention necessary in certain circumstances?
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Which factors can influence the preference for action or inaction in public policy?
Which factors can influence the preference for action or inaction in public policy?
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Which reason for government and public policy focuses on maintaining justice?
Which reason for government and public policy focuses on maintaining justice?
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What type of public policy could include decisions regarding military actions?
What type of public policy could include decisions regarding military actions?
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What characteristic differentiates formal actors from informal actors in public policy?
What characteristic differentiates formal actors from informal actors in public policy?
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Which statement about public policy action is true?
Which statement about public policy action is true?
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Which of the following is NOT listed as a reason for the existence of public policies?
Which of the following is NOT listed as a reason for the existence of public policies?
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What aspect distinguishes symbolic policies from material policies?
What aspect distinguishes symbolic policies from material policies?
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Which component is essential to define a public policy?
Which component is essential to define a public policy?
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How can public policies help lessen the impact of market disorganization?
How can public policies help lessen the impact of market disorganization?
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Which ideological group focuses primarily on individual liberty and minimal government intervention?
Which ideological group focuses primarily on individual liberty and minimal government intervention?
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What distinguishes a 'need' from a 'want' in public policy?
What distinguishes a 'need' from a 'want' in public policy?
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Which concept refers to the distribution of resources to achieve fairness in society?
Which concept refers to the distribution of resources to achieve fairness in society?
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What is the primary consideration in assessing the effectiveness of public policies?
What is the primary consideration in assessing the effectiveness of public policies?
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Which type of public policy primarily concerns the organization and procedures of government?
Which type of public policy primarily concerns the organization and procedures of government?
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What role do rights play in public policy?
What role do rights play in public policy?
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In discussions of equality, what is often debated alongside it?
In discussions of equality, what is often debated alongside it?
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What are the two key criteria that policymakers frequently consider during the policymaking process?
What are the two key criteria that policymakers frequently consider during the policymaking process?
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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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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.
