Definition: Rulemaking authority refers to the power given to executive branch agencies to create rules and regulations that implement laws passed by Congress.
When Congress passes a law, it often lacks detailed specifics, meaning that executive agencies fill in the gaps.
These agencies effectively hold legislative powers through the ability to create regulations.
Oversight Power of Congress: If Congress disagrees with the rules made by these agencies, it can:
Call the agencies in for oversight hearings.
Amend the original legislation to clarify the law.
Government Corporations: Government-operated entities that do not operate for profit. Examples include:
U.S. Postal Service: An independent government corporation that could potentially be privatized.
Amtrak: Another major government corporation.
Agenda Setting: The process of prioritizing issues by political parties, especially evident during party conventions every four years when platforms are established:
Addressing the major problem and proposing potential solutions starts the policy process.
Agenda Setting:
Identify issues that need addressing. Example: A dangerous intersection near a school prompts the need for safety improvements.
Policy Formulation:
Develop different strategies to solve the identified problem. Example: Instituting a four-way stop, adding speed bumps or a crossing guard.
Policy Adoption:
Engage with stakeholders, such as city council members, to legitimize the proposed solutions.
Policy Implementation:
Execute the approved policy through practical measures, such as installing traffic signs and markings.
Policy Assessment:
Evaluate the effectiveness of the policy. Surveys may reveal if the policy solved the original problem or led to new issues.
This cyclical nature underscores the continuous effort in public policy. Each step can take significant time and involve various levels of government.
Problem: Discrimination against African Americans in voting processes.
Mechanisms employed included literacy tests designed to disenfranchise voters.
Key Supreme Court Case: Shelby County vs. Holder
Resulted in the removal of the preclearance requirement for certain states, indicating shifts in voting laws.
Introduction of Voter ID Laws:
Justified by minimizing voter fraud, though data shows the occurrence of fraud is minuscule.
Affects marginalized communities disproportionately as they face barriers in obtaining IDs due to resource limitations.
Agencies create regulations to maintain order and safety, while deregulation involves lifting restrictions to ease burdens on businesses, often favored by Republican lawmakers.
Regulations can increase costs for businesses due to compliance requirements.
Examples from the 1990s include initiatives to cut costs and streamline the effectiveness of government (e.g., Clinton's Reinventing Government program).
Evolution of party roles:
Democrats become associated with civil rights in the 1960s; notable figures include John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson.
Democrats adapt to incorporate conservative ideals in the late 20th century, focusing on efficiency and government size reductions.
The concept of iron triangles (the relationship between congressional committees, bureaucratic agencies, and interest groups) is evolving into issue networks, reflecting dynamic interactions among various stakeholders in policymaking.