INTRODUCTION TO PUBLIC POLICY EXAM WITH
SOLUTIONS #8
Harold Laswell - correct answer -work is closely associated with creation of policy
sciences (study of policy as a field)
-writing in 1950s
What sets the study of policy studies apart? - correct answer -would/should be
multidisciplinary
-focus on problem solving
-normative
Multidisciplinary/Interdisciplinary - correct answer policy sciences would embrace work
& findings of fields such as sociology, economics, environmental science, biology, law,
politics, psychology, etc.
Normative - correct answer -political scientists are engaged in study of collective
choices with huge stakes
-choices that divide societies; affect millions of people, if not life itself
-choices that political science has a special ability, even obligation, to address (make
recommendations)
Evolution of Policy Sciences - correct answer -large body of research just focused on
public policy
-own discipline with concepts and concerns
-schools for public policy & affairs across U.S.
-the call for policy sciences to remain strictly normative has been called into question
Public Policy defined - correct answer cause of government action or inaction designed
to solve a problem
Government - correct answer -institutions & political processes through which public
policy choices are made
-legal authority to govern a group of people
-congress, president, court
-but, it's more than that: state gov., localities, special districts
Politics - correct answer -exercise of power in a society or in specific decisions over
public policy
-Lasswell: "Who gets what, when, & how"
-public policy is inherently political, sometimes highly conflictual
Other examples of policy - correct answer -Administrative: increasing enforcement of
traffic laws
-Legislative: written statutes, budgets
, -Executive: vetoes, executive order
-Judicial: deciding to hear a case; interpreting the law
-Symbolic: policies have little real material impact on people
-"Non-policies"
-courts are also policy makers
Not doing something is policy, too - correct answer -sometimes government chooses
not to respond
-policy is about action and inaction
Non-policies - correct answer -maybe another entity in society will handle it
-works in some cases, might save gov. Money & resources
The contexts of public policy making: political, economic, cultural & social - correct
answer -which problems rise to prominence?
-which policy ideas receive serious consideration?
-which alternatives are viewed as politically & economically feasible
Social context - correct answer Social conditions & changing conditions influence how
the public & policy makers view & act on problems
-ex: changing population demographics-->implications for education
-ex: income inequality
Economic context - correct answer State of the economy has a major impact on the
policies that government adapt & implement
-ex: Great Depression, housing market
-2008 economic crises & government responses
-car industry decline/bankruptcy
Political context - correct answer It is impossible to understand public policy making
without thinking about politics
-political parties (Democrats & Republicans)<--growing gap
-interest groups
-public opinions
Cultural context - correct answer Political culture
-values: liberty, equality, citizen participation in democracy, gov. Transparency, etc.
-limits on policy alternatives/actions (conflict with core values)
Governing context - correct answer -need to know about institutions & actors
(complexity of government)
-rapid reactions/changes can be difficult (thanks to our Founders we have a slow-
moving system)
-Federalism! (layers of government)
----shared policymaking/implementation responsibility
SOLUTIONS #8
Harold Laswell - correct answer -work is closely associated with creation of policy
sciences (study of policy as a field)
-writing in 1950s
What sets the study of policy studies apart? - correct answer -would/should be
multidisciplinary
-focus on problem solving
-normative
Multidisciplinary/Interdisciplinary - correct answer policy sciences would embrace work
& findings of fields such as sociology, economics, environmental science, biology, law,
politics, psychology, etc.
Normative - correct answer -political scientists are engaged in study of collective
choices with huge stakes
-choices that divide societies; affect millions of people, if not life itself
-choices that political science has a special ability, even obligation, to address (make
recommendations)
Evolution of Policy Sciences - correct answer -large body of research just focused on
public policy
-own discipline with concepts and concerns
-schools for public policy & affairs across U.S.
-the call for policy sciences to remain strictly normative has been called into question
Public Policy defined - correct answer cause of government action or inaction designed
to solve a problem
Government - correct answer -institutions & political processes through which public
policy choices are made
-legal authority to govern a group of people
-congress, president, court
-but, it's more than that: state gov., localities, special districts
Politics - correct answer -exercise of power in a society or in specific decisions over
public policy
-Lasswell: "Who gets what, when, & how"
-public policy is inherently political, sometimes highly conflictual
Other examples of policy - correct answer -Administrative: increasing enforcement of
traffic laws
-Legislative: written statutes, budgets
, -Executive: vetoes, executive order
-Judicial: deciding to hear a case; interpreting the law
-Symbolic: policies have little real material impact on people
-"Non-policies"
-courts are also policy makers
Not doing something is policy, too - correct answer -sometimes government chooses
not to respond
-policy is about action and inaction
Non-policies - correct answer -maybe another entity in society will handle it
-works in some cases, might save gov. Money & resources
The contexts of public policy making: political, economic, cultural & social - correct
answer -which problems rise to prominence?
-which policy ideas receive serious consideration?
-which alternatives are viewed as politically & economically feasible
Social context - correct answer Social conditions & changing conditions influence how
the public & policy makers view & act on problems
-ex: changing population demographics-->implications for education
-ex: income inequality
Economic context - correct answer State of the economy has a major impact on the
policies that government adapt & implement
-ex: Great Depression, housing market
-2008 economic crises & government responses
-car industry decline/bankruptcy
Political context - correct answer It is impossible to understand public policy making
without thinking about politics
-political parties (Democrats & Republicans)<--growing gap
-interest groups
-public opinions
Cultural context - correct answer Political culture
-values: liberty, equality, citizen participation in democracy, gov. Transparency, etc.
-limits on policy alternatives/actions (conflict with core values)
Governing context - correct answer -need to know about institutions & actors
(complexity of government)
-rapid reactions/changes can be difficult (thanks to our Founders we have a slow-
moving system)
-Federalism! (layers of government)
----shared policymaking/implementation responsibility
