PLSC-3320: Principles of Public Policy - Midterm Exam

PLSC-3320: Principles of Public Policy - Midterm Exam

What is the nationalization of politics? How does it affect House and Senate elections? How does it affect state elections (e.g., gubernatorial and state legislative)? What are the factors that have shaped this nationalization? How has it affected policymaking in the executive, Congress, and courts?

The governing context has a major impact on policymaking in the United States – what are its main features? What is the role of interest groups and other outside groups in this governing context?

What are the social and economic contexts of public policy?

What is meant by the “role of government” (federal) – and how has that changed over time with respect to various types of regulation; the provision of public goods, such as defense, infrastructure, education, etc.; social welfare; federal spending and taxation?

What is the policy process model (problem definition and agenda setting; policy formulation, etc.)?

In evaluating or assessing policy alternatives, what are some commonly-used approaches – e.g., economic (or quantitative); political and administrative feasibility; administrative efficiency; ethics or values?

What is policy evaluation? Why is it important? What is legislative oversight? What staff agencies has Congress created to assist with legislative oversight?

What is required to enact a public law? What are the major sources for public laws? What are the legislative process options used by the House and Senate to pass legislation?

What are executive orders? Why are they important? On what authority are they based? What are the congressional and judicial checks on executive orders? What is the importance of the Youngstown case?

The modern administrative state requires extensive rulemaking by regulatory agencies. Why is that the case; what procedures are followed to keep the rulemaking process within acceptable boundaries; what congressional and judicial checks can be applied?

What is statutory interpretation? What is judicial review? In sum, what is the role of the federal courts in the separation of powers system and why is it sometimes controversial? What was the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization decision?

In the enactment of a public law, what is regular order vs. unorthodox lawmaking? How is the National Defense Authorization Act usually handled in Congress?

Administrative Procedures Act

Amendment Exchange / Conference Committees

Apportionment and Gerrymandering

Appropriations Bills

Bicameralism

Block grants / categorical grants

Central Clearance

Chevron Deference

Chief Legislator”/FDR

Committee Jurisdictio

Congressional staff agencies (GAO, CBO, CRS)

Constitutional amendment process

Control of Congress (Midterms/Presidential Elections)

Cost-benefit analysis

Delegated Powers

Divided government / unified government / electoral volatility

Dodd-Frank Act

Executive Office of the President

Externalities

Federal Register / U.S. Code

Federal Reserve

Federalism

Filibuster (legislative/nomination)

General Welfare Clause

Impeachment Process

Interest group policy goals

Korematsu v. United States

Legislative history (committee reports)

Legislative oversight / Inspectors General

National Federation of Independent Business v. Sibelius

Necessary and proper clause

New Deal

Public Good

Public laws / statutes / acts

Reconciliation process / reconciliation legislation / Byrd Rule

Redistributive policy (tax/spend)

Regular order / unorthodox lawmaking

Revenue Bills

Separation of powers (Madison)

Special rules (House) / Cloture and UCAs (Senate); (Speaker’s Committee)

Standing committees/Conference committees

Stare decisis

Statements of Administration Policy

Suspension of the rules / Unanimous consent

Vetoes

War power