REVIEW FOR MIDTERM EXAM

Sample Short Answer

public policy

politics

three reasons why government intervenes in people's lives (political, ethical, economic)

impact of separation of powers/checks and balances on policymaking

difference between the "scientific" study of public policy and "unscientific" (anecdotal) study of public policy

iron triangles

role of interest groups in the policy-making process

group theory

elite theory

incrementalism

systems theory

why the federal government became increasingly involved in public policy-making

unfunded mandates

five steps involved in the policy-making  process - - agenda setting, policy formulation, policy legitimation, policy implementation, policy evaluation

Sample Essay

1.  Use the five step policy analysis approach and analyze the problem of cell phone use while driving

2.  Pick a policy issue and explain how the three major official actors (Congress, President, Supreme Court) might be involved in the policy-making process.  Give three examples for each actor.

3.  Should citizens have more or less input into the policy-making process at the national level?  What problems or criticisms might your position encounter?  How would you respond to these criticisms?  Defend your position.