Untitled Flashcards Set

What is public policy primarily concerned with?

Public policy is about what governments do and don’t do, serving as a course of action or inaction based on a goal or principle.

What are the two types of policy analysis?

Analysis of policy (why some succeed and others fail) and analysis for policy (advice you give to policymakers).

What does policy refer to according to Paul Cairney?

Policy can refer to an aim, a decision, or an outcome, and is influenced by many actors with varying degrees of authority.

What are the stages in a policy cycle?

The stages include agenda-setting, policy formulation, legitimation, implementation, evaluation, and maintenance/succession/termination.

What is the importance of agenda-setting in public policy?

Agenda-setting is crucial as it determines which problems receive government attention and influence policy decisions.

What are the implications of 'first mover advantage' in policy-making?

The first group or coalition to frame an issue has significant control over the policy response and subsequent discourse.

What are the four basic types of problems that policies usually fall under?

Morality, equity, general welfare, and regulating the commons.

What are the guiding questions for instrument choice and design in policy-making?

Does the policy lead to target compliance? Are there unintended consequences? Does the government have enough resources? Does it fit pre-existing rules and norms?

What challenges do policymakers face regarding evidence and ethics?

Policymakers may encounter conflicting goals, biases, and the reliability of different types of evidence.

What types of policy instruments are used for behavior influence?

Traditional tools (carrots, sticks, sermons) and modern policy instruments like nudges and public-private partnerships.

What characterizes bottom-up policy implementation?

Bottom-up implementation emphasizes flexibility, stakeholder consultation, and recognizes the role of street-level bureaucrats.

What is the 'implementation gap' in public policy?

The implementation gap is the difference between expectations of policymakers and actual policy outcomes.

What is the role of stakeholders in the policy-making process?

Stakeholders are individuals or groups with interests in a specific policy area, involved in the formulation and implementation of policies.

How do bureaucratic structures influence policy implementation?

Bureaucratic structures dictate how policies are executed, often requiring administrative capacity, clarity in design, and effective communication.

What is the definition of a policy instrument?

A policy instrument is the type of intervention used to influence the target population to achieve desired policy objectives.

What is 'normative guidance' in policy decisions?

Normative guidance provides a framework on ethical values, fairness, and group equity in the policy-making process.

What is meant by 'participatory policy analysis'?

Participatory policy analysis includes the voices of those impacted by policies to calculate their own costs and benefits.

What role do epistemic actors play in policy-making?

Epistemic actors, such as policy experts and media, contribute knowledge and evidence to influence the agenda and policy formulation.

How does policy change at the top level compare to bottom-level changes?

Change at the top may not directly translate to change at the bottom due to local contexts and implementation realities.

What is the definition of 'veto points' in the decision-making process?

Veto points are individuals or groups whose consent is necessary to change the status quo in the decision-making process.

What is 'policy maintenance, succession, or termination'?

It involves considering if a policy should be continued, modified, or discontinued based on evaluations and outcomes.