polisci1

Government

The institutions and processes through which public policies are made for society.

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Politics

The process by which we select our governmental representatives and what policies they produce

Democracy

A system of selecting policymakers and of organizing government so that policy represents the public's preferences.

Characteristics of Democracy

-Equality in voting -Citizen control of the agenda -Popular Consent -Personal liberty

Rational Choice Theory

Individuals act in their own self-interest

Examples of rational choice

Policymaking, Voting and political parties, interest groups

Public Policy

A choice government makes in response to a public concern

What do Constitutions do?

They create political institutions, assigns or divides powers in government and what government can and cannot do.

What are Constitutions?

A nation's fundamental law.

U.S. Constitution

A product of competing interests intent on furthering own self interest

The Madisonian Model

Limiting Majority Control, Separating Powers, Creating Checks and Balances, Federalism

Congress Powers

Ratify treaties, confirm presidential appointments, declare war

President Powers

Negotiate treaties, appointment powers, commander in chief

War Powers Act

Requires president to consult with Congress before hostilities and remove forces if no use of force resolution within 60 days

Constitution and foreign policy

Constitution sets broad parameters, but leaves much open to development; Presidential war powers no longer require declaration of war from Congress

Federalism and the Constitution

Vertical check on power—federal government "checks" state power and vice-versa. Federalism needed at the framing to balance state rights v. strong central government interests

Federalism defined

A way of organizing a nation so that two or more levels of government have formal authority over the land and people

Why is Federalism important?

Decentralizes our politics: More opportunities to participate; Decentralizes our policies: Different problems solved more appropriately by different level of government; States can solve the same problem in different ways.

McCulloch v. Maryland

The Constitution grants implied powers to Congress: those powers not enumerated, but given to Congress

Linkage institutions

political channels through which people's concerns become political issues on the policy agenda

Linkage institutions examples

Media, interest groups, parties, or elections

Policy Agenda

issues that attract the serious attention of public officials.

Policy formulation

Once on the agenda, then policymakers begin to formulate the policy solution or craft an acceptable course of action

Economic policy

Manipulate supply of money to keep inflation in check

Policy evaluation

Did a policy actually accomplish what it intended to accomplish?

Steps of policymaking (1/7)

Problem identification (def)

Steps of policymaking (2/7)

Agenda setting (def)

Steps of policymaking (3/7)

Formulation (def)

Steps of policymaking (4/7)

Adoption (def)

Steps of policymaking (5/7)

Budgeting (def)

Steps of policymaking (6/7)

Implementation (def)

Steps of policymaking (7/7)

Evaluation (def)

Implementation

The process of carrying out public policies

Policy examples

Abortion, gun control, voting, marijuana, immigration

Systemic agenda

All those matters people are talking and fretting about

Institutional agenda

The problems which government officials feel obliged to give active and serious attention

Keynesian economics

deficit spending to stimulate economy

Supply side economics

cut taxes

Monetary policy

Manipulate supply of money to keep inflation in check; Set discount rate, buy/sell bonds

Loss of agenda status

Decline in public interest or concern, realization of significant costs, \issue resolution