Questions and Answers
What is domestic policy also known as?
Name one of the three main groups that influence domestic policy formation.
Elites, bureaucrats, or interest groups.
Domestic policy must be reevaluated as society _.
changes
What are the four main methods for implementing a new policy?
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What do incentive techniques provide citizens with?
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What does hortatory refer to in public policy?
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What is the focus of Social Security?
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Which president worked to create a national health care system in the late 1940s?
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Medicare provides health care coverage for the elderly.
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In the 1960s, the federal government created the Medicare and Medicaid systems _ laws.
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What does the Affordable Care Act require Americans to do?
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What environmental agency was created in 1970?
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What two areas are considered key for solving the US energy crisis?
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What is a significant challenge facing Social Security today?
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Study Notes
Domestic Policy Overview
- Domestic policy, or public policy, focuses on government's actions to address internal issues such as health care, education, public transportation, and environmental protection.
- Policy must adapt over time, reflecting societal changes, like the evolution of farming in the US from family to corporate farms.
- Influential groups in policy formation include elites (who control resources), bureaucrats (government officials), and interest groups (corporations, nonprofits).
Policy Implementation Methods
- Four primary methods for implementing new policies:
- Authoritative: Enforces strict penalties for noncompliance, such as fines or imprisonment (e.g., DUI laws).
- Incentive: Provides benefits for adhering to policies (e.g., tax credits for energy-efficient home improvements).
- Capacity: Offers training or education for compliance (e.g., public workshops).
- Hortatory: Appeals to moral values (e.g., anti-littering campaigns).
Important Domestic Policies
- Key areas of domestic policy laws include education, health care, environment, Social Security, and welfare; these have evolved significantly over US history.
Education Policy Evolution
- Education in the early 1800s was basic, often in small, multi-age classrooms.
- By 1840, reformers pushed for improvements in public education, funded by local and state taxes rather than tuition.
- Landmark developments included the 1862 land transfer for public colleges and the post-WWII GI Bill aiding veterans’ education.
- The No Child Left Behind Act (2001) emphasized standardized testing to monitor student achievement.
Health Care Policy Development
- Health care emerged as a significant policy issue in the 20th century, with efforts dating back to President Truman and leading to Medicare and Medicaid under Johnson's administration.
- Medicare serves the elderly; Medicaid aids the poor.
- Cost debates surrounding these programs have intensified due to rising expenses.
- The Affordable Care Act (2010) introduced comprehensive reforms, mandating insurance coverage and providing subsidies, with constitutional backing from the Supreme Court.
Energy and Environmental Policy Challenges
- US energy policy reflects historical shifts from oil independence in the late 1800s to increased reliance on foreign oil after WWII.
- Energy crises spurred policy changes, including the establishment of the Department of Energy to address national concerns.
- Environmental policies gained traction with the formation of the EPA (1970), the Clean Air Act, and others, aiming to combat pollution and promote sustainability.
- Recent shifts focus on innovating renewable energy sources and increasing energy efficiency.
Social Security and Welfare
- Minimal social security programs existed until the 1930s, when the Great Depression prompted New Deal reforms, including the Social Security Act.
- Social Security relies on worker taxes to support retirees but faces sustainability issues due to demographic shifts, including an aging population and declining birth rates.
- Welfare has two types: means-tested (e.g., food stamps) and non-means-tested (e.g., Social Security), with ongoing debates about their efficiency and necessity amid national debt considerations.
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Description
Explore key concepts in domestic policy with these flashcards. This quiz covers essential topics including government programs, public policy, and the impact of societal changes on internal issues. Perfect for students looking to deepen their understanding of how domestic policy shapes our nation.
