PS-310 Midterm

What is governance?

Administration + Policy

What is Woodrow Wilson’s contribution to governance?

“The dichotomy” — separation of administrative and policy roles.

What are the 3 E’s in Governance?

efficiency, effectiveness, equity

What are the (3) biggest ethical considerations in governance?

Criminal virtue (good for the state but feared as a person), difficult decisions, social order responsibility.

What is public policy?

“Whatever the government chooses to do or not to do” - Thomas Dye

What are (5) characteristics of public policy

Stable process linking policy to action, composed of actions taken over time, response to public demands, reflective of what the government does, capable of being negative or positive (or neither)

What is “power” as defined by Weber?

“The ability to make someone do something against their will.”

Founders feared tyranny from both the monarch and the masses. What did this lead to?

Dispersion of power across the political and social horizon. This distribution of power reduces concentration in a single entity.

What are the (3) cornerstones of American Government?

Divided power, compromise, equillibrium

What are the dimensions of sovereign authority in Federalism (2)?

Central authority for execution of responsibilities, and state authority for local responsibilities.

What are the (5) advantages of Federalism?

Government is closer to the people, state & local governments can tailor to local needs, the federal government can focus on national issues, power promotes a diversity of interests, and individual liberty is safeguarded.

What are (6) disadvantages of Federalism?

Complexity and confusion, conflict of law, duplication of authority, blurred lines of accountability, poor coordination of nationwide policy, and inequity of services across states.

What is dual federalism “layer-cake federalism”?

A system of government where power and responsibilities are clearly divided between the national and state governments.

What are the four core principles of dual federalism?

The national government operates under enumerated (federal) powers only, limited constitutional purposes for the national government, each government maintains sovereign authority in its defined responsibilities, the relationship between the federal and state governments is characterized by tension instead of cooperation

What are (3) reasons for growth of the federal government?

Response to economic depression, rise of national institutions/federal regulatory agencies, perception that state and local governments were inadequate to meet demands

Who were (3) main leaders of cooperative federalism?

FDR (New Deal), John Maynard Keynes, Lyndon Johnson (“The Great Society”)

What is cooperative federalism “marble-cake federalism”?

A governance model where federal and state governments work together, sharing responsibilities and resources to implement public policy.

What are Intergovernmental Relations (IGR)?

Cooperation among various government levels for effective governance (national leadership, state oversight, local implementation).

What is Fiscal Federalism?

Federal government captures revenue while states allocate funding and implement programs.

What are (3) conclusions on fiscal federalism?

It profoundly influences state and local policy, balances benefits and challenges in federal policy role, rising fiscal problems at federal level threaten future influence

What is “The Iron Triangle”?

Robert Michaels — represents a three-actor paradigm influencing policy (congressional committees, interest groups, and regulatory agencies)

What are “policy networks”?

Hugh Heclo — an evolving collaboration of groups impacting policy

What is “punctuated equillibrium”?

Baumgartner and Jones — Stability in policy is the norm until disrupted.

What are legislative bodies?

Elected law-making entities

What are (4) examples of legislative bodies?

Congress, State Legislatures, County Commissioners, City Councils

What is the role of the Chief Executive?

Representing the entire political unit (President, governor, mayor, etc.).

What are (4) roles of courts in governance?

Interpreting the law, assuring compliance with constitutional principles, ruling on administrative actions, responding to policy changes

What are (2) problems with bureaucracy?

Administrative discretion leading to varying interpretations, limits on accountability causing oversight difficulties

What are “unofficial actors”?

Individual citizens, media, and interest groups (most visible in policy processes).

What are the (2) influence models?

Pluralist: power spread among various groups

Elitist: focuses on control of the elites

What was Mancur Olson’s critique of pluralism?

Groups primarily form to benefit their members (Rational Choice Perspective). We need to focus on the resource disparities affecting group mobilization.

What does “incrementalism” mean in policy development?

Policy change is gradual and often influenced by existing structures and knowledge.

What are (4) types of formation in policy development?

Routine (adjustments based on high knowledge of cause and effect), Creative (based on low knowledge of cause and effect), Conditional (known effects but low causation understanding), Craftsman (uncertain conditions, flexible approaches).

What are the (3) types of Legitimate authority (Weber)?

Traditional (based on established beliefs), charismatic (perceived exceptional authority), legal/rational (based on laws and legal precedents).

What is “legitimacy” in government?

Must pass tests of legality and political acceptability. Involves citizen’s beliefs that their government’s actions are appropriate.

What is the difference between Majoritarian and Non-Majoritarian legitimization?

Majoritarian: actions reflect mass approval

Non-majoritarian: actions taken do not directly represent the public

What is the purpose of judicial review?

Ensures that individual rights are upheld and law’s legitimacy is affirmed.

What are (2) implementation strategies?

Top-down implementation: directed from hierarchial levels not sensitive to local needs

Bottom-up implementation: Adapts to local contexts but may derive from legislative intent

What is the Federalist 10 and what does it discuss?

Discusses controlling factions: factions are inherent and can lead to tyranny if unchecked, promote pluralism by having multiple factions competing against eachother.