Domestic and Foreign Policy

Agenda Setting

Identifying issues that gain media attention and public concern to create a policy agenda.

Framing

Defining a problem and determining governmental responses, often influencing public perception and policy decisions.

Policy Formation

Analyzing potential policies, often using methods like cost-benefit analysis to evaluate projected costs and benefits.

Policy Implementation

The execution of policies at various government levels, facing challenges from both top-down and bottom-up perspectives.

Policy Evaluation and Feedback

Assessing a policy's effectiveness in achieving its goals through ex post evaluations of intended versus actual outcomes.

Social Policy

Government programs aimed at promoting social welfare, focusing on protecting against risk, reducing poverty, and expanding opportunities.

Federal Poverty Line

A threshold that determines eligibility for federal benefits, reflecting the government's commitment to addressing poverty.

Entitlement Programs

Government programs guaranteeing certain benefits to eligible individuals, affirming citizens' legal rights to assistance.

Fiscal Policy

Government decisions on taxing and spending aimed at influencing economic growth and stability.

Monetary Policy

Controlled by central banks, primarily focusing on managing the money supply and interest rates to achieve economic objectives.

Congressional Budget Resolution

Joint creation by the House and Senate outlining federal spending targets, revenue levels, and the expected budget deficit.

Discretionary Programs

Non-entitlement spending that Congress decides on annually, allowing flexibility in budget allocations.

Military Primacy

The doctrine asserting that the U.S. should maintain unrivaled military capabilities to ensure national security.

Liberalism

A view suggesting that cooperation among nation-states leads to greater security, contrasting with military primacy.

Economic Weapons

Tools such as boycotts and sanctions used to exert pressure on other nations for political ends.

Appropriations Committees

Committees in both chambers that determine funding levels for various departments and programs.

Continuing Resolution

A temporary funding measure that allows government operations to continue at current levels if a budget has not been approved.

Job Displacement

Loss of employment resulting from economic changes, often associated with free trade and globalization challenges.

The War Powers Act of 1973

Legislation aimed at increasing congressional oversight of military actions by requiring presidential approval for engagements.

National Security Strategy

The approach adopted by a nation regarding military engagement, alliances, and strategies to protect its citizens.

Economic Stability

A state in which a country's economy operates effectively, promoting growth, full employment, and low inflation.