The systematic study of power, decision-making and the production of order in society

The institutions and political processes through which public policy choices are made these institutions and processes represent the legal authority to govern or rule a group of people

The exercise of power and influence in society as well as in the processes of policymaking within government who participates in and who influences the decisions that governments make and who wins and loses a result

Are conditions the public widely perceives to be unacceptable and therefore requiring intervention

Decisions by those with authority to use public power to affect the lives of citizens

The formal actions that government takes to pursue goals (policy choices in action)

The effects such actions actually have on society

Laws

Treaties

Executive orders

Regulations

Judicial rulings

Taxes

Grants

Programs

Action

Inaction

Distributive: costs and benefits to everyone

Redistributive: takes from some to benefit others

Constituent: rules of the game

Regulatory: restricts

The process of matching goals and means has two dimensions:

Technical:What is the best relationship between means (tools) and ends (goals)?

Political: What are the ends (goals) that can be agreed upon and what means (tools) are considered appropriate?

the study of the causes and consequences of policy decisions

encourages deliberate critical thinking about the causes of public problems, the various ways governments and/or the private sector might act on them, and which policy choices make sense

Social and Economic Conditions

Prevailing Political Values

Public Mood

Structure of Government

National and Local Cultural Norms

is the setting in which policy decisions take place-including the economic, social, political, cultural and governing contexts 

determines which problems are given attention, which alternatives are considered and which actions are viewed as feasible

inflation, corporations, and unemployment

crime, health, poverty, unemployment, demographic change

political ideologies, philosophies, and beliefs held by candidates for office, power and influence

commitment to individualism, property rights, freedom, pragmatism or practicality, equality, and similar values

federalism, separation of powers, bi-cameral legislature, presidential system, two-party system, democratic governance

Proponents of policy actions seek a multitude of goals that affect all members of society. In addition, public policy reflects not only society‟s most important goals, but also the disagreement that exists between contrasting values, ideas, ideologies and interests.

Disagreement over responsibility

Disagreement over problem definition

Disagreement over appropriate and feasible solutions

is often necessary for any policy to be passed

often outdated and ineffective policies will continue in force, and consideration of new and possibly more effective policies will not progress

The moderation dilemma is when policy makers try to balance the success of a compromise with the consequences of that compromise.

all the work that human beings perform in order to produce things we need in our lives

where various buyers and sellers meet to negotiate over price and agree on sales of a good, a service, or an asset

Work

Consumption

Investment

Finance

Environment

Prosperity

Security

Innovation

Choice

Equality

Sustainability

Democracy and Accountability

Dynamic Factors:

Economic Growth

Employment

Inflation

Static Factors:

Type of economic structure

Ideas regarding the relationship of individuals to production and distribution of goods

Economic Measures

-Economic Growth

-Employment

-Balance of Payments

-Employment

the feasibility of specialization

private ownership of firms and society‟s productive assets

The market, that is the voluntary purchase and sale of goods, services and factors of production such as land, labor and capital

The profit motive as the driving force

means the absence of government interference

an exchange of one thing in return for another, especially relinquishment of one benefit or advantage for another.

Poverty

Economic Inequality

Demographic change (immigration, fertility, female participation rate, urbanization

the way in which individuals relate to each other and organize public and private life.

Refers to a group of individuals who occupy a similar position in the economic system of production

how social phenomena or objects of consciousness develop in social contexts.

A social mechanism, phenomenon, or category created and developed by society; a perception of an individual, group, or idea that is 'constructed' (created) through cultural or social practice

the interpretation or construction of such non-economic differences to create a sense of group solidarity or peoplehoodthat can provide the basis for a claim of dominance or privilege over those considered outside of the group

the result of historical and social constructs, “which builds on differences that clearly exist but are not meaningful until interpreted in some way

Flexible

Affected by context

Not innate or a biological given

Often contradictory

Social institutions and individual choice play an important role in shaping identity

holds that the classical models of oppression within society, such as those based on race/ethnicity, gender, religion, nationality, sexual orientation, class, or disability do not act independently of one another; instead, these forms of oppression interrelate creating a system of oppression that reflects the "intersection" of multiple forms of discrimination

is about the relationship and maintenance of power and ideas in government and society.

the party system

electoral interests of elected officials

ideological differences among the public and policymakers

ability of organized groups to exert pressure

public trust and confidence in government

an organized set of ideas that helps make sense out of politics for ourselves and present arguments effectively in public.

Fit our needs and predispositions

Reflect what we want and what we think is appropriate

Guide decision-making

highest good of society is the ability of members of society to develop their individual capacities to the fullest extent

parties

party systems

electoral institutions

social cleavages

a group organized around the expression of interests with the goal of achieving formal representation in the government through elections.

differences in the number of parties, the entrance and exit of parties from the system, and the gain or loss of party governing power.

is the organization of electoral competition and governing power

laws and regulations that govern elections

conflicts that arise from relationships in the social structure.

-Shifts in existing conflicts

-Emergence of new conflicts that mobilize voters

Political System: Democracy

Party System: Two-Party

Policymaking Structures: Fragmentation

Electoral Rules and Processes: SMVD

the capability of an individual to secure his/her own ends even against the will of others

Authority is power based on a general agreement…

that a person or group has a right to issue certain sorts of commands and

that those command should be followed

a belief on the part of citizens that the current government represents a proper form of government, and a willingness on the part of those citizens to accept the decrees of the government as legal and authoritative

is largely psychological

the acceptance of the majority is essential

has substantive as well as procedural elements

is both a variable and a constant

Results: providing people what they want

Habit: people accustomed to obeying laws

Identity: ties that exist between themselves and the people

Procedures: people agree on the way in which government is established and decisions are made

the presence of different institutions with competing and overlapping power and responsibilities

Federalism: division between national and state governments

Separation of Powers: checks and balances; bicameralism

Policy Sub-Governments: congressional committees, iron triangles, issue networks

Public/Private Divisions: overlap for policy provision, implementation, and enforcement between government and non-governmental actors

policy change through an accumulation of small policy changes.

informal settings where policy decisions are made and are often made up of a mixture of formal (governmental) and informal (non-governmental) actors.

relatively closed policy arenas emphasizing stable relations among a limited number of participants

interest groups, congressional committees, and administrative agencies

a shared knowledge group having to do with some aspect (or, as defined by the network, some problem) of public policy (Heclo 1978)

more descriptive of U.S. policymaking

a shared responsibility for policy between government and the private sector (Business or Non-Profit Organizations)

Involves close collaboration and the combination of the strengths or both the private sector (more competitive and efficient and the public sector (responsibility and accountability vis-à-vis society)