PP Lecture 7 PDF

Lesson 7 What Is Public Policy? Public Policy ______________________________________ is a course of action requiring government action to solve a public problem (see pg. 552). However, we must be cautious when looking to the government to solve problems because… Government solutions cost...

Lesson 7 What Is Public Policy? Public Policy ______________________________________ is a course of action requiring government action to solve a public problem (see pg. 552). However, we must be cautious when looking to the government to solve problems because… Government solutions cost money Government solutions tend to increase the size, scope, and role of the government Government solutions typically generate new problems Problems may be too complex to be addressed by government Government solutions often “pick and choose” winners and losers Types of Policy Objective Beneficiaries Example Redistributive To redistribute resources in society Low-income groups Welfare programs: Head from one group to another so at all Start, Medicaid, TANF, SNAP, can enjoy at least a minimal standard etc. of living Distributive To provide targeted groups with Target groups: Famers, College grants, tax credits government support that will college students, and ultimately contribute to a broader businesses and Deductions for public gain for all corporations, etc. homeowners, and subsidized or federally guaranteed loans for businesses Regulatory To control and protect common The public benefits Regulating the waste and resources pollutants created by businesses  What Are Social Welfare Policies? Social Policies aim to improve the quality of life for those in need: Social Welfare policies are government programs that provide for those who cannot or will not provide for themselves (see pg. 555). redistributive Such programs are usually __________________________ and means tested _____________________________________ which means beneficiaries must qualify for these programs by demonstrating they have a low income. These programs are often criticized because they are redistributive and seem to penalize those who can provide for themselves. EX: TANF – cash benefits for those of low income SNAP – provides vouchers to buy food Medicaid – healthcare (see pg. 557). SSI – financial assistance to those with disabilities EITC - a tax break or increased tax refund Housing Assistance – lowers monthly rent  What Are Social Welfare Policies? The evolution of the welfare state… Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC), _________________________________________________ a policy designed to ensure that poor families could take care of their kids, dating back to the 1930s. It was heavily criticized because it contained no work requirements and set no time limits for remaining on welfare, therefore disincentivizing people from working. _________________________________________________ Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF), replaced AFDC in the 1990’s under the Clinton Administration & is considered the largest overhaul of welfare. Provides block grants to state governments, which gives states greater control over how they spend their money. Caps the amount that the federal government will pay for welfare and requires work in exchange for time-limited benefits. What Is Welfare For The Well-to-do? Middle Class / Corporate welfare policies ___________________________________________________ - financial benefits given in the form of subsides (cash or tax cuts), by the government for purpose of encouraging certain activities or for reducing the costs of business. Examples: Tax credits for the purchase of plug-in electric vehicles. Allowing oil companies to drill on federal property without paying royalties. Down payment assistance for homeowners and interest rate deduction on federal income taxes. Grants to college students. Subsidies are controversial because they are provided at the taxpayers' expense and not everyone agrees on who should be the beneficiaries. Also, it causes public officials to gain support by “buying” off certain segments of society. What Are Social Insurance Policies? Social Insurance policies are long-term programs that provide benefits to a specific segment of the population; government programs that offer benefits in exchange for contributions. Such programs are viewed as entitlement _______________________________________ it guarantees benefits to a particular group of people that have paid into the system and have the right to claim what is theirs (see pg. 556). The greatest problem with these programs is that they are expensive, and the program is not generating enough revenue from payroll taxes. Examples: Social Security ________________________________________ is a social insurance program in which contributions are made by workers and benefits are collected upon retirement (see pg. 556). Medicare _______________________________________is also a social insurance program designed to help the elderly pay their medical costs (see pg. 557). https://www.cbpp.org/research/social-security/top-ten-facts- about-social-security What is Healthcare Policy? Health care policies ____________________________________ refer to a country’s decision, plans, and actions designed to promote specific health care. Because most U.S. citizens get their health insurance through their employers, those of low income and those who are retired are more likely to not have coverage. Examples: ___________________________1965: Medicaid healthcare for those who have a low income ___________________________1965: Medicare healthcare for the elderly ___________________________ The Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) 2010: subsidized healthcare for low income that do not qualify for Medicaid  What is Healthcare Policy? The controversy over “Obamacare” The US stands out among industrialized nations as the only one that doesn’t have a universal health care system guaranteeing minimum basic healthcare to all. Obamacare tried to address this issue by expanding healthcare coverage. The most controversial part of Obamacare was that it originally required individuals to purchase or prove they had coverage or be forced to pay a penalty. Known as individual mandate the______________________________ – repealed in 2017. What is Economic Policy? Economic policy refers to the different strategies that government officials employ to solve economic problems Tax policy ___________________________________ - policy in which the government uses its power to require that individuals and businesses contribute to collective costs by requiring payment of taxes (see pg. 567-568). Fiscal policy ____________________________________ - policy in which the government uses its ability to tax and spend to stabilize the economy (see pgs. 564-565). _____________________________________ Monetary policy - policy in which the government uses its power to control the money supply by manipulating interest rates (see pg. 569).  What is Economic Policy? Exploring different types of taxes… Progressive taxes ________________________ – taxes that increase as a person’s income increases. The US has a progressive income tax. (see pg. 567). Regressive taxes _______________________ – taxes that are applied to everyone equally regardless of income (see pg. 568).  What is Foreign Policy? Foreign Policy __________________________________________________ - is official U.S. policy designed to solve problems that take place between the United States and actors outside its borders Crisis policy ______________________________________________ - policy that deals with emergency threats to our national interests or values. Strategic policy _______________________________________________ - policy that lays out the basic U.S. stance toward another country or a particular problem. Ex: The Biden Administration has recognized China and Russia as threats to the US and North Korea and Iran as “extremists” and potential threats to the US (see pgs. 600 - 602). Structural defense policy _______________________________________________ - policy that focuses largely on the policies and programs that deal with defense spending and military bases. There are roughly 750 US foreign military bases spread across 80 nations!  What is Foreign Policy? The president is more likely to set the foreign policy agenda than other actors in American politics, due to the ability to exercise control over the bureaucracy that oversees diplomatic relations. EX: Department of State ___________________________________ - Oversees matters related to foreign policy and international issues relevant to the country (see pgs. 527-530). The Defense Department ___________________________________ - Oversees the many elements of the U.S. armed forces, including the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, and Air Force (see pg. 528). Homeland Security ____________________________________- Oversees agencies charged with protecting the territory of the United States from natural and human threats (see pg. 529). What is Foreign Policy? The Constitution grants the president the power of Three main parts to the War Powers Resolution: Commander in Chief ________________________________________ over the armed forces. The President must get a declaration of war or specific authorization from Congress before Although the president cannot declare war, the sending troops overseas unless the United president can commit troops (without official States or its armed forces are attacked. declaration of war). This has sparked outrage by Congress who has felt their power to declare war If the President initiates hostilities, these can (and consequently commit troops) was usurped only last 60 days and must then be terminated by the president alone. unless Congress authorizes their continuation. Congress passed the If there is no declaration of war or specific ________________________________________ War Powers Resolution 1973 statutory authorization passed within 60 days, the which is a law passed during the Vietnam War Congress can require the president to end U.S. that limited the president’s powers to commit participation in hostilities at any time. troops without the consent of Congress (see pg. 586). What is Foreign Policy? Two classic perspectives on our relationship with the world (see pg. 598). ____________________________________ Isolationism - a foreign policy that holds that Americans should put themselves and their problems first and not interfere in global concerns. _____________________________________- Liberal Internationalism a foreign policy that holds that, to keep the republic safe, the United States must be actively engaged in shaping the global environment and be willing to intervene in order to shape events.