Public Policy Year 2 - Key Concepts
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Questions and Answers

What is the definition of a constitution?

Defines principles and rules of the government

What are the two types of centralization of the government?

  • Monarchy
  • Federalism (correct)
  • Unitarism (correct)
  • Confederalism

Which branch of government is responsible for making laws?

  • Legislative (correct)
  • Executive
  • Judiciary
  • Political

Which branch of government is responsible for enforcing laws?

<p>Executive (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which branch of government is responsible for interpreting laws?

<p>Judiciary (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of a supernational institution?

<p>All of the above (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a key characteristic of intergovernmental institutions?

<p>Member states voluntarily cooperate (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of policy actors?

<p>Political ideology (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT considered a public actor?

<p>Interest groups (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is considered a private actor?

<p>Interest groups (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is an epistemic community?

<p>Community of experts and technical specialists who share a set of beliefs and a way to approach problems</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a meritocratic system?

<p>Bureaucracy based on expertise (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a spoils system?

<p>Bureaucracy based on political loyalty (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the first stage of the policy cycle?

<p>Agenda setting</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the second stage of the policy cycle?

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

What does 'structure' refer to in the context of the structure vs. agency debate?

<p>Existing social norms, values, and institutions (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does 'agency' refer to in the context of the structure vs. agency debate?

<p>The ability of actors to act independently (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which type of knowledge is NOT considered essential for effective policy making?

<p>Economic (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a wicked problem?

<p>A complex issue that is hard to define, understand and solve</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of a wicked problem?

<p>Limited number of stakeholders (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a super wicked problem?

<p>Are wicked problems, but also involve analytical, operational and political challenges that make them hard to adress</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a key difference between wicked and super wicked problems?

<p>Time constraints (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Super wicked problems require collaboration and coordination between different actors.

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a key skill required for policy actors?

<p>Financial skills (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the definition of sovereignty?

<p>Nation states have complete power within their own borders</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the definition of polity?

<p>Various institutional structures that constitute a political system</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the definition of bureaucracy?

<p>A government institution that makes decisions on behalf of democratic representatives</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which type of democratic republic features power divided between a central government and state/local governments?

<p>Federal (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which type of democratic republic features power divided between independent governments?

<p>Confederal (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Define negative liberty.

<p>Freedom from coercion + imposition (fundamental human rights)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which type of right involves an obligation of the government to inaction?

<p>Negative rights (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Describe the Polis model of political society.

<p>A political society where individuals recognize the importance of the common good and collective wellbeing Altruism + self interest</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are the key characteristics of the Market model of political society?

<p>A political society where individuals only focus on self interest</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary difference between the Polis and Market models of political society?

<p>The emphasis on the common good versus self-interest (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a collective action problem?

<p>Individuals do not want to contribute to collective problems due to personal costs e.g climate change</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a key point of the Polis model?

<p>Competition is more important than cooperation (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are the laws of passion?

<p>Passions, emotions and beliefs play a role in a political process</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which decision-making principle suggests that the best action is the one that produces the greatest good for the greatest number?

<p>Consequentialism/utilitarianism (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which decision-making principle emphasizes the inherent rightness or wrongness of an action, regardless of the outcome?

<p>Deontology (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which form of logic involves drawing a conclusion based on observations and patterns?

<p>Inductive reasoning (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which form of logic involves reasoning from a specific observation to the most plausible explanation?

<p>Abductive reasoning (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which form of expertise in decision-making emphasizes the role of experts in leading decision-making processes?

<p>Technocracy (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which form of expertise in decision-making emphasizes the role of political leaders in making decisions, even if they lack expert knowledge?

<p>Decisionism (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which decision-making model assumes that all values, objectives, and potential solutions are considered in a logical and systematic process?

<p>Comprehensive rationality (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which decision-making model emphasizes gradual changes over time, building on existing policies and practices?

<p>Incremental model (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which decision-making model views decision-making as a process of haphazardly matching problems and solutions, often lacking a clear structure or strategy?

<p>Garbage can model (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which type of decision-making leads to new outcomes and changes?

<p>Positive decision-making (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which type of decision-making involves maintaining the status quo and avoiding changes?

<p>Negative decision-making (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following accurately defines the difference between 'formation' and 'adaptation' in policy?

<p>Formation involves creating new policies, while adaptation involves modifying existing ones. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of public managers in policy making?

<p>People/organizations responsible for implementing policies and programs (they are not polititians!) Translate ideas into programs</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which type of analysis focuses on the economic efficiency of a policy?

<p>Technical analysis (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which type of analysis quantifies all monetary impacts of a policy?

<p>Formal cost-benefit analysis (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which type of analysis incorporates non-monetary values, such as environmental or social impacts?

<p>Qualitative cost-benefit analysis (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which type of analysis considers multiple factors, including economic, social, and environmental impacts, to evaluate the efficiency of a policy?

<p>Multi-goal analysis (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which type of analysis involves evaluating the effectiveness of a policy using a fixed budget?

<p>Cost-effectiveness analysis (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the main idea behind the rational decision-making model?

<p>Clear goals, objective option evaluation and chooses option that is maximizing the desired outcome</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a key difference between the rational model and the Polis model of decision-making?

<p>Time constraints: Limited vs. Unlimited (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Constitution

Defines principles and rules of the government

2 types of government centralization

  1. Unitarianism: One single central government
  2. Federalism: Shared sovereignty over several levels

3 branches of power

  1. Legislative: Makes the law
  2. Executive: Executes the law
  3. Judiciary: Interprets the law They all limit each other + accountability

Supernational institutions

Institutions with the power to directly legislate and enforce laws of member states. e.g. EU

  • Useful for transnational issues
  • Member states lose some sovereignty
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Intergovernmental institutions

Member states voluntarily cooperate and coordinate on matters of common interest. No sovereignty surrender

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Supernational vs. Intergovernmental

  1. Sovereignty: Lose some vs keep all
  2. Authority: Direct authority vs consensus
  3. Decision making: Majority vote vs consensus
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Characteristics of policy actors

  1. Capability to influence policy (e.g. resources)
  2. Perception of social problems
  3. Preferences (goals and values that drive actions and influence policy making)
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Public actors

  1. Executive branch: Implementing and enforcing laws
  2. Ministerial structures: Executive branch in specific areas (e.g., healthcare, education)
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Private actors

  1. Interest groups
  2. Social movements: Lobbying, corporations
  3. Experts: Epistemic community
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Epistemic community

Community of experts and technical specialists (private actors) who share a set of beliefs and a way to approach problems

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Meritocratic system

Bureaucracy based on expertise and technical skills

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Spoils system

Bureaucracy based on political loyalty

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Meritocratic vs. Spoils

Bureaucracy based on expertise vs bureaucracy based on political loyalty

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Stages of the policy cycle

  1. Agenda setting
  2. Formulation
  3. Decision
  4. Implementation
  5. Evaluation
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Structure vs. agency

Structure: Already existing norms, values, etc. that create a basis for society Agency: The ability of actors to act/exercise their own will Structure limits agency Agency shapes structure

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3 important types of knowledge for policy

  1. Analytical
  2. Operational
  3. Political
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Wicked problem

A complex issue that is hard to define, understand, and solve

  1. No definite formulation of the problem
  2. No clear solutions
  3. No right or wrong answers
  4. Hard to predict consequences of actions taken
  5. Many stakeholders with different goals
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Super wicked problem

Wicked problems that involve analytical, operational, and political challenges, making them harder to address

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Wicked vs. super wicked problems

They are more urgent and require more collaboration. -Time constraint

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Key skills for policy actors

  1. Political acumen (knowledge and experience)
  2. Analytical skills
  3. Managerial skills
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Sovereignty

Nation states have complete power within their own borders

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Polity

Various institutional structures that constitute a political system

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Bureaucracy

A government institution that makes decisions on behalf of democratic representatives

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3 democratic republics

  1. Unitary: One central government (Netherlands)
  2. Federal: Power is divided between central + state/local governments (United States)
  3. Confederal: Power is divided between independent governments (Belgium, EU)
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Negative and Positive liberty

Negative: Freedom from coercion + imposition (fundamental human rights) Positive: Freedom to live as you please

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Negative and Positive rights

Negative: Obligation of the government to inaction (e.g., freedom of speech) Positive: Obligation of the government to action (e.g., education, health care)

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The Polis model

A political society where individuals recognize the importance of the common good and collective well-being Altruism + self-interest

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The Market model

A political society where individuals only focus on self-interest

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The Polis model vs. the Market model

Common good and well-being vs. self-interest alone

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Collective action problems

Individuals do not want to contribute to collective problems due to personal costs (e.g. climate change)

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Polis model most important points

  1. Focus on public interest
  2. Loyalty is the norm
  3. Cooperation is as important as competition
  4. Information is incomplete and used strategically
  5. Governed by both laws of passion and laws of matter
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Laws of passion

Passions, emotions, and beliefs play a role in a political process

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2 decision making principles

  1. Consequentialism/ Utilitarianism - Action is good if it is best for the greater good
  2. Deontology - Action is either good or bad. Outcome doesn't matter
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3 forms of logic (reasoning)

  1. Deductive reasoning
  2. Inductive reasoning (from observation to conclusion)
  3. Abductive reasoning (same as inductive reasoning, but allows for multiple potential conclusions, doesn't make concrete conclusions)
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3 forms of expertise in decision making

  1. Technocracy: Decision making is led by experts, they should have political power
  2. Decisionism: Political leaders make decisions even if they lack expert knowledge. Politicians choose experts and evidence that aligns with them
  3. Pragmatism: Middle ground
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3 decision making models

  1. Comprehensive rationality
  2. Incremental model
  3. Garbage can model
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Comprehensive rationality

Main idea: Assumes a logical process where all values, objectives, and potential solutions are considered in all steps of the policy cycle. Strengths: Systematic, aims to be comprehensive Weaknesses: Must consider existing policies, bounded rationality, and multiple actors

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The incremental model

Main idea: Change should be gradual over time Strengths: Politically achievable, easy to implement, and adaptable to changes Weaknesses: May not address systematic issues or long-term goals. It also prefers the status quo

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Garbage can model

Main idea: Assumes that everything is floating around in a garbage can and they have to find each other (problems and solutions). It strives for a satisfying and sufficient solution - whatever gets the job done. Strengths: Realistic, encourages understanding Weaknesses: Pessimistic, other solutions are not explored, and often not clear (ambiguity)

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Positive vs. Negative decision making

  1. Positive: Leads to new outcomes
  2. Negative: Maintaining status quo/no changes
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Formation vs. Adaptation

  1. Formation: Policies are created and developed
  2. Adaptation: The chosen policy; influenced by goals and resources
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Public managers

People/organizations responsible for implementing policies and programs (they are not politicians!) They translate ideas into programs

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6 types of analys

  1. Technical: Economic efficiency
  2. Formal cost-benefit: All monetary impacts
  3. Qualitative CBA: Includes non-monetary values
  4. Multi-goal: More factors are considered for more efficiency
  5. Modified CB: 1 other goal than monetary benefits
  6. Cost-effectiveness analysis: A fixed budget is used
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Rational decision making model

Clear goals, objective option evaluation, and chooses the option that maximizes the desired outcome

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Rational vs. Polis model

Goals: Clear vs. Vague Alternatives: May consider vs. issue framing (only option) Evaluating: CBA vs. deciding what factors to include for the desired outcome Ethics: Decision making principles vs. anything is good as long as it is for the greater good

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Study Notes

Public Policy Year 2 - Study Notes

  • Constitution: Defines government principles and rules.

  • Centralization of Government:

  • Unitarism: Single central government.

  • Federalism: Shared sovereignty between levels.

  • Branches of Power:

  • Legislative: Creates laws.

  • Executive: Enforces laws.

  • Judiciary: Interprets laws. All branches limit and hold each other accountable.

  • Supernational Institutions:

  • Strength: Address transnational issues needing cooperation.

  • Weakness: Member states lose sovereignty. Example: EU.

  • Intergovernmental Institutions: Member states voluntarily cooperate without losing sovereignty.

  • Supernational vs. Intergovernmental Institutions (Comparison):

  • Sovereignty: Lose some vs. none.

  • Authority: Direct vs. consensus-based.

  • Decision-making: Majority vote vs. consensus.

  • Policy Actors (Characteristics):

  • Capability: Ability to influence policy (e.g., resources).

  • Perception: Understanding of social problems.

  • Preferences: Goals and values influencing actions.

  • Public Actors:

  • Executive Branch: Implementing/enforcing laws.

  • Ministerial Structures: Executive units (e.g., health, education).

  • Private Actors:

  • Interest Groups: Lobbying for specific interests/activities.

  • Social Movements: Groups advocating for change.

  • Experts: Provide specialized knowledge (epistemic communities).

  • Epistemic Community: Experts sharing beliefs and approaches to problems.

  • Meritocratic System: Bureaucracy based on expertise.

  • Spoils System: Bureaucracy based on political loyalty.

  • Meritocratic vs. Spoils System: Comparison of expertise-based vs. loyalty-based bureaucracies.

  • Policy Cycle Stages:

  • Agenda Setting

  • Formulation

  • Decision

  • Implementation

  • Evaluation

  • Structure vs. Agency:

  • Structure: Existing norms, values.

  • Agency: Ability of actors to act. Structure restricts agency, while agency shapes structure.

  • Types of Knowledge (Decision-Making):

  • Analytical

  • Operational

  • Political

  • Wicked Problems (Characteristics):

  • Undefined problems.

  • No clear solutions.

  • No right/wrong answers.

  • Unpredictable consequences.

  • Multiple stakeholders with diverse goals.

  • Super Wicked Problems: Wicked problems with added complexity from analytical, operational, and political challenges. More urgent, requiring greater cooperation.

  • Key Policy Actor Skills:

  • Political Acumen (knowledge, experience)

  • Analytical Skills

  • Managerial Skills

  • Sovereignty: Complete power within national borders.

  • Polity: Institutional structures of a political system.

  • Bureaucracy: Government institutions making decisions for elected representatives.

  • Democratic Republics (Types):

  • Unitary: Single central government (e.g., Netherlands).

  • Federal: Power divided between central and regional governments (e.g., United States).

  • Confederal: Power divided among independent governments (e.g., Belgium, EU).

  • Negative vs. Positive Liberty:

  • Negative: Freedom from restrictions.

  • Positive: Freedom to act, live.

  • Negative vs. Positive Rights:

  • Negative: Government inaction required.

  • Positive: Government action required.

  • Polis Model: Political society valuing common good, altruism, self-interest.

  • Market Model: Political society focused solely on self-interest.

  • Collective Action Problems: Individuals avoid contributing to collective goods due to personal costs. Example: climate change.

  • Polis Model Key Points:

  • Focus on public interest.

  • Loyalty as a norm.

  • Cooperation valued.

  • Incomplete information, potentially used strategically.

  • Governed by passion & rationality.

  • Laws of Passion: Role of emotions/beliefs in politics.

  • Decision-Making Principles:

  • Consequentialism/Utilitarianism: Good actions maximize overall benefit.

  • Deontology: Actions are inherently good/bad, regardless of consequences.

  • Forms of Logic/Reasoning:

  • Deductive: General to specific.

  • Inductive: Specific to general.

  • Abductive: General observation, multiple reasonable hypotheses.

  • Forms of Expertise in Decision-Making:

  • Technocracy: Experts lead; have political power.

  • Decisionism: Political leaders make decisions, even without expert knowledge.

  • Pragmatism: Middle ground approach.

  • Decision-Making Models:

  • Comprehensive Rationality

  • Incremental

  • Garbage Can

  • Comprehensive Rationality: Logical process considering all values, options. (systematic but limited by bounded rationality and multiple actors).

  • Incremental Model: Gradual change, politically achievable. (prioritizes practicality, may not address long-term issues).

  • Garbage Can Model: Decisions based on coincidental alignment of problems, solutions, and participants. (realistic, diverse perspectives but outcomes are unclear).

  • Positive vs. Negative Decision Making:

  • Positive: Leads to new outcomes.

  • Negative: Maintains the status quo.

  • Formation vs. Adaptation:

  • Formation: Creating/developing policy

  • Adaptation: Influencing the policy chosen after development.

  • Public Managers: Implement policies and programs, not politicians. Translates ideas into action.

  • Analysis Types:

  • Technical: Economic efficiency.

  • Formal CBA: Monetary impacts.

  • Qualitative CBA: Non-monetary values.

  • Multi-goal: Multiple factors for efficiency.

  • Modified CBA: One non-monetary goal.

  • Cost-effectiveness Analysis: Fixed budget.

  • Rational Decision Making Model: Clear goals, evaluation of options, maximizing desired outcomes (ideal but not always possible).

  • Rational vs. Polis Model (Comparison):

  • Goals: Clear vs. ambiguous.

  • Alternatives: Broad vs. limited.

  • Evaluation: Economic vs. multitude of factors.

  • Ethics: Principles-based vs. outcome-based.

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Explore the key concepts in Public Policy for Year 2, including the definitions and characteristics of constitution, branches of power, and different types of government structures. Understand the implications of centralization, supernational, and intergovernmental institutions. This quiz will challenge your knowledge on how these elements interact and shape governance.

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