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involves an international course of action followed by a government for resolving an issue of public concern. |
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tangible measurable results.
Example: Number of meals, Vaccines |
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when Policy attempts to change individual behavior it sometimes worsens the situation. Insured> Risky Behavior- Obesity, |
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Four Context of American Politics |
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Institutional- balance of powers Fiscal -taxing and spending policies prescribed by the president. Demographic Ideology- Liberal vs. Conservative |
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Liberals vs. Conservatives |
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Economics-conserv-small gov, low tax Culture-absolute morality, intervention Foriegn policy- intervention, war |
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Full Information No transaction Cost Amoral No public goods No monopolies |
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They are defined as third party (or spill-over) effects arising from the production and/or consumption of goods and services for which no appropriate compensation is paid. |
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A third party bears the cost of a transaction between a buyer and seller. Example. Pollution |
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A third party (or Free-rider) benefits without paying the cost. Example: Education, Flu Shot Higher salary, more taxes public service would be greater. |
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people enjoy public goods whether or not they pay for it. |
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What does the gov do to affect externalities? |
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Subsidies and taxes respectively to reduce externalities |
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Why government gets involved in Market Failures |
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Ethical issues Externalities |
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Public Good without Government |
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Emergency - Red Cross Social Pressure- Church Desires of one party |
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programs promising aid without time limit to anyone who qualifies. |
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Left Ideology of Entitlements |
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Rawls veil ignorance - maximize the minimum, generous government benefit. |
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Right Ideology of Entitlements |
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Oken Leaky Bucket - rich give to poor = poorer society *poor work less *rich work less *pay beaurocracy who decide these things * robin hooding leads to leakage |
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What is the difference in view of education between conservatives and liberals? |
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Con.- You are the beneficiary Lib.- Society is the beneficiary |
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Problem inherent in direct democracy |
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Paradox of voting Intensity of Preference Citizens vote for issues themselves |
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Problems inherent in representative democracy |
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Mandates- Assumption Concentrated Benefits Diffused benefits/concentrated cost Collective Action Problem Limited Time Horizons- Wilbur Mills District Based Politics Policy Making is Irrational |
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Concentrated Benefits Problems inherent in representative democracy |
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small group wants to lobby govt for a purpose, the cost is diffuse amongst millions of people. Ex. GM Bailout |
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Diffused Benefits/ Concentrated cost Problems inherent in representative democracy |
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benefits are diffused amongst millions while one industry is fighting to go against the burden. Because the benefit is so dispersed the public doesn't fight back. |
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District Base Legislatures Problems inherent in representative democracy |
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members of congress have a self interest to fight for their state. They are wasteful. Ex. Sen. Stevens, Sen Byrd |
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Limited Time Horizon Problems inherent in representative democracy |
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congress members are so preoccupied with reelection that they enact policies that are going to be paid down the road. Ex. 1972 Wilbur Mills running for president purposes social security . Leads to massive inflation, job loss fix by payroll taxes. |
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Policy Making is irrational Problems inherent in representative democracy |
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cant compare alternatives proceeds problem Ideology driven |
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3 Can Garbage Solution = Window Of Opportunity |
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Problems Policies Politics |
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three cans line up for policy to be passed EX. Regan Tax Cuts EX. Failed Ted Kennedy |
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Problems with government appearances |
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1.Difficult to give value to outputs of beaurocracy- i.e. DMV sucks 2. Targeting-Private sector doesn't care who consumes a good while public targets a demographic. i.e. Get food to the poor for free and to the rich at a price 3. Effects of Limited competition -Public sector has little incentive for change or innovation. A good worker is not compensated for better work. 4. Civil Service- Incentive to do the minimum, you can't get fired easily in a gov job. 5. Few incentives for elected officials. dont want to take a public bureaucracy publicly . |
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Why was 00-10 the lost decade? |
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-more gov spending -lower tax revenue -lack of growth in real median household income |
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Three components of The Federal Budget |
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Revenues-spending Mandatory spending- entitlements -welfare, food stamps, social security 53%of budget 3. Discretionary-Defense spending, education, FBI, CIA |
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The Congressional Budget Office. -Non partisan arm of the congress. -Optimistic about growth because they assume all policies will continue. |
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Alternative Minimum Tax. If you have certain qualifications you get a tax deduction. People with high state and local taxes get taxed by this. Not adjusted for inflation. Changed every year. |
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What do Conservatives and Liberals say about the debt? |
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Conservatives say we have a spending problem Liberals say we have a revenue problem. |
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Government spends more money than it takes in Total deficits is the national debt |
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No Significant deficits can accompany economic growth Economy influences deficits. Poor economy, higher deficit. Not inherently bad, but why we are running it? Some deficits are for a purpose Not severe considering revenue |
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Yes
absorb savings that would otherwise be used for private investments.
Interest rates to rise
Undermines central tenant: current generation has responsibility to leave the world a better place for future generations
Increasing % of debt owned by foreign power |
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Components of Federal Budget |
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Revenues Mandatory Spending Entitlements = 53% Discretionary = defense spending non defense,everything else. |
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Important assumptions about the Economy |
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Economy will gradually bounce back Policies will remain at status quo AMT Tax Patch Medicare pay patch |
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What are the main features of american gov institutions and our relationship to them |
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There is a bias against action because of separation of powers/ checks and balances.
-there is a low trust in government. gov trust has a direct correllation with economic wellbeing |
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2 facts about america's revenue |
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60% of gov revenue is from taxes top 1% pay 40% of total taxes. |
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What were some unintended consequences of cash for clunkers? |
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-by destroying old cars prices rise -fewer parts available so prices rise -more debt from new car loans -clunkers driven less than new cars so 61 more gallons burned per year -Japanese recieved benefit instead of americans bc they made most of the cars |
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