Public Policy Final

Rational-comprehensive

A decision-making model where policymakers identify all alternatives, evaluate them with full information, and choose the option that maximizes benefits.

Incrementalism

A model where decisions involve small adjustments to existing policies rather than major changes, emphasizing limited information and compromise.

Mixed scanning

A hybrid approach combining broad, strategic overview with incremental, small-scale decisions.

Bargaining

Decision-making through negotiation among actors seeking compromise.

Types of bargaining

Distributive bargaining is zero-sum competition over fixed resources

Persuasion

Using argument, expertise, or reasoning to change others’ preferences.

Command

A hierarchical style where superiors issue directives that subordinates must follow.

Majority building

Forming coalitions to reach the necessary majority for decision approval through negotiation or compromise.

Microeconomics

The study of individual and organizational choices about resource allocation, supply/demand, and pricing.

Macroeconomics

The study of national economic trends such as inflation, unemployment, GDP, and fiscal policy.

U.S. Budgeting history

Development of the centralized federal budgeting system emphasizing presidential coordination and congressional oversight.

Budgeting and Accounting Act of 1921

Created the executive budget, required the president to submit an annual budget, and established the Bureau of the Budget (now OMB) and GAO.

OMB

Assists the president in preparing the budget, reviewing agency requests, and overseeing implementation.

GAO

Independent congressional watchdog that audits federal spending, evaluates programs, and ensures accountability.

Role of Congress

Controls taxing and spending through budget resolutions, authorization, and appropriations.

How expenditures are distributed

Through mandatory spending, discretionary spending, and interest on the national debt based on political priorities.

Preparation

Agencies submit requests → OMB reviews → President sends budget to Congress.

Authorization

Congress approves programs to exist and sets maximum funding levels.

Budgetary decision-making (baseline budgeting)

Budgeting based on last year’s levels with incremental adjustments instead of starting from zero.

Execution

Agencies spend funds as appropriated while OMB and Treasury monitor compliance.

Types of funds

Appropriated funds, revolving funds, and trust funds.

Audit

Review of whether agencies used funds legally, efficiently, and effectively.

Types of audits

Financial, compliance, and performance audits.

Congressional tactics

Tools like deferrals, legislative veto, rescission, and oversight used to influence budget outcomes.

Presidential tactics

Tactics such as impoundment or (previously) line-item veto to shape or control spending.

Independent regulatory commissions

Agencies insulated from political pressure that regulate specific sectors (e.g., FCC, SEC).

Government corporations

Government-owned organizations that operate like businesses and charge for services (e.g., USPS).

Appointment vs. career officials

Appointees are politically selected and short-term

Decision-making (administrative)

The internal processes agencies use to craft policies, interpret laws, and implement programs.

Rule-making

Agencies create regulations with legal force through notice-and-comment procedures.

Adjudication

Agencies resolve disputes and interpret rules in individual cases.

Enforcement

Agencies ensure compliance with laws through inspections, penalties, or corrective action.

Who conducts evaluations?

Agencies, GAO, OMB, Inspectors General, contractors, and researchers.

Police evaluation

Routine, ongoing monitoring of program operations.

Target populations

The groups for whom a policy or program is designed.

Outputs

The direct products or services a program delivers.

Outcomes

The actual effects or changes caused by a program.

Types of evaluation

Process, impact, outcome, cost-effectiveness, and cost-benefit evaluations.

Cost-benefit analysis

Comparing a program’s costs to its benefits in monetary terms.

Policy termination

Ending a program due to ineffectiveness, redundancy, or changing priorities.