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Questions and Answers
What is a primary characteristic of Social Insurance policies?
What is a primary characteristic of Social Insurance policies?
Which of the following is an example of a Social Insurance program?
Which of the following is an example of a Social Insurance program?
What is one major issue facing Social Insurance programs?
What is one major issue facing Social Insurance programs?
Which program was designed to help the elderly with medical costs?
Which program was designed to help the elderly with medical costs?
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What was the main goal of the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare)?
What was the main goal of the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare)?
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What distinguishes the U.S. healthcare system from other industrialized nations?
What distinguishes the U.S. healthcare system from other industrialized nations?
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What type of policy involves the government using its ability to tax and spend to stabilize the economy?
What type of policy involves the government using its ability to tax and spend to stabilize the economy?
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Which of the following best describes progressive taxes?
Which of the following best describes progressive taxes?
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What does structural defense policy focus on?
What does structural defense policy focus on?
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What is the role of the Department of State in foreign policy?
What is the role of the Department of State in foreign policy?
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What characterizes regressive taxes?
What characterizes regressive taxes?
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Which policy is primarily concerned with emergency threats to national interests?
Which policy is primarily concerned with emergency threats to national interests?
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Which economic policy refers to the strategies employed by the government to address economic issues?
Which economic policy refers to the strategies employed by the government to address economic issues?
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Which type of policy lays out the basic U.S. stance toward another country?
Which type of policy lays out the basic U.S. stance toward another country?
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What type of social welfare policies require beneficiaries to demonstrate low income?
What type of social welfare policies require beneficiaries to demonstrate low income?
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What major change did Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) introduce compared to Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC)?
What major change did Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) introduce compared to Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC)?
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What is a reason why redistributive programs are often criticized?
What is a reason why redistributive programs are often criticized?
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Which of the following is an example of a middle-class welfare policy?
Which of the following is an example of a middle-class welfare policy?
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What does means testing in welfare programs refer to?
What does means testing in welfare programs refer to?
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Which program is designed specifically to provide cash benefits to low-income individuals?
Which program is designed specifically to provide cash benefits to low-income individuals?
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What is a common contention regarding subsidies provided by the government?
What is a common contention regarding subsidies provided by the government?
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What was a primary criticism of the Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) program?
What was a primary criticism of the Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) program?
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What is a primary concern regarding government solutions to public problems?
What is a primary concern regarding government solutions to public problems?
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Which type of policy aims to redistribute resources in society to benefit low-income groups?
Which type of policy aims to redistribute resources in society to benefit low-income groups?
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What is the main goal of distributive policies?
What is the main goal of distributive policies?
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What is a characteristic of regulatory policies?
What is a characteristic of regulatory policies?
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Social welfare policies are primarily aimed at which of the following?
Social welfare policies are primarily aimed at which of the following?
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One drawback of government solutions mentioned is their tendency to:
One drawback of government solutions mentioned is their tendency to:
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What is a potential problem with government approaches to public issues?
What is a potential problem with government approaches to public issues?
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What role does the Defense Department play in the U.S. government?
What role does the Defense Department play in the U.S. government?
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What must the President obtain before committing troops overseas?
What must the President obtain before committing troops overseas?
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What is one consequence if the President initiates hostilities without a declaration of war?
What is one consequence if the President initiates hostilities without a declaration of war?
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What does the War Powers Resolution of 1973 aim to do?
What does the War Powers Resolution of 1973 aim to do?
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Which foreign policy perspective argues against international intervention?
Which foreign policy perspective argues against international intervention?
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Which view holds that the U.S. should actively shape the global environment?
Which view holds that the U.S. should actively shape the global environment?
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What is the primary duty of the Department of Homeland Security?
What is the primary duty of the Department of Homeland Security?
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What happens if Congress does not authorize military action within 60 days?
What happens if Congress does not authorize military action within 60 days?
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Study Notes
Public Policy Overview
- Public policy involves government actions aimed at addressing public problems.
- Government solutions can be costly, potentially resulting in increased government scope and new issues.
- Complex problems may not have straightforward governmental solutions, leading to "winners" and "losers."
Types of Policy
- Redistributive Policy: Aims to redistribute resources to ensure basic living standards for low-income groups (e.g., welfare programs like TANF and Medicaid).
- Distributive Policy: Provides targeted support to specific groups, contributing to broader public benefits (e.g., college grants, tax credits).
- Regulatory Policy: Focuses on controlling and protecting common resources for public benefit (e.g., pollution regulations).
Social Welfare Policies
- Social welfare policies help improve life quality for those unable to support themselves, typically means-tested for low-income qualification.
- Examples include TANF (cash support), SNAP (food vouchers), Medicaid (healthcare), and housing assistance.
- Criticism arises from the redistributive nature, argued to penalize self-sufficient individuals.
Evolution of Welfare State
- AFDC (Aid to Families with Dependent Children) initiated in the 1930s aimed to support poor families but lacked work requirements, criticized for creating dependency.
- TANF replaced AFDC in the 1990s under the Clinton Administration, introducing work requirements and state-controlled block grants, limiting federal welfare payments.
Welfare for the Wealthy
- Middle-class welfare often includes subsidies like tax credits for electric vehicles and support for homeowners, generating controversy over taxpayer expense and beneficiary fairness.
Social Insurance Policies
- Social insurance provides long-term benefits to specific segments, contingent upon contributions, constituting an entitlement to benefits.
- Key examples include Social Security (retirement benefits) and Medicare (healthcare for the elderly), facing concerns over revenue inadequacy.
Healthcare Policy
- Health care policies set the framework for a country's health coverage decisions, aiming to ensure access for all demographics.
- Established programs include Medicaid (for low-income individuals) and Medicare (for the elderly), along with the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) aimed at low-income, non-Medicaid eligible citizens.
Obamacare Controversy
- The U.S. is unique among industrialized nations for lacking a universal healthcare system.
- Obamacare expanded coverage with the controversial individual mandate, which required coverage proof or penalties; this mandate was repealed in 2017.
Economic Policy
- Economic policy encompasses strategies to address economic issues, including tax policy (collective cost contributions), fiscal policy (government spending and taxation control), and monetary policy (money supply manipulation).
- Progressive taxes increase with income, while regressive taxes apply equally regardless of income.
Foreign Policy
- U.S. foreign policy aims to address international issues, including crisis and strategic policies, reflecting attitudes toward threats like China and Russia.
- The president significantly influences foreign policy agenda through bureaucratic control (e.g., Department of State, Defense Department, and Department of Homeland Security).
War Powers and Legislative Limits
- The president holds Commander in Chief authority but requires congressional approval for war declarations.
- The War Powers Resolution of 1973 limits presidential troop commitments without Congressional authorization, aiming to prevent unilateral military action.
Foreign Policy Perspectives
- Isolationism advocates prioritizing U.S. issues without interference in global affairs.
- Liberal Internationalism supports active U.S. engagement and intervention to shape global harmony and security.
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Description
This quiz covers an overview of public policy, including its significance in addressing public issues and the complexities involved. It further delves into various types of policies such as redistributive, distributive, and regulatory policies, with specific examples of social welfare initiatives.
