Chapter 17: Domestic Policy

Cost

Burden people believe they must bear if a policy is enacted

Benefit

Satisfaction people believe they will enjoy if a policy is adopted

Legitimacy

Political authority conferred by law or by a state or national constitution

Insurance programs

A self-financing government program based on contributions that provide benefits to unemployed or retired persons

Assistance program

A government program financed by general income taxes that provides benefits to poor citizens without requiring contributions from them

Means test

Income qualification program that determines whether one is eligible for benefits under government programs reserved for lower-income groups

Majoritarian politics

A policy in which almost everybody benefits and almost everybody pays

Client politics

A policy in which one small group benefits and almost everybody pays

Interest politics

A policy in which one small group benefits and another small group pays

Entrepreneurial politics

A policy in which almost everybody benefits and one small group pays

Charitable choice

Name given to our four federal laws passed in the late 1990s specifying the conditions under which nonprofit religious organizations could compete to administer certain social service delivery and welfare programs

Environmental impact statement

A report required by federal law that assesses the possible effect of a project on the environment if the project is subsidized in whole or part by federal funds

Regulatory Policy

Policy which determines what is/is not legal

Redistributive Policy

Policy that transfers income from certain individuals or groups to others, often based on the belief that these transfers enhance fairness

Promotional Policy

Policy that seeks to foster or discourage various economic or social activities, typically through subsidies and tax breaks

Policy implementation

Process of carrying out public policy