Question 1

According to the definition of public policy,&#10;A) government actions can be studied in normative terms only.&#10;B) government inaction may be viewed by some individuals as bad.&#10;C) government is essentially good.&#10;D) None of the above

Accepted Answer

According to the definition of public policy, it refers to a course of action or inaction chosen by public authorities to address a problem or interrelated set of problems. Therefore, government inaction can be seen as a deliberate choice made by the authorities, which may be viewed negatively by some individuals. Option A and C are incorrect as normative terms are not the only way to study government actions, and whether the government is good or bad is subjective and dependent on different individuals' perspectives.

Question 2

Classical liberals are more likely to support&#10;A) social welfare programs.&#10;B) high taxes.&#10;C) antifraud policies.&#10;D) Both b and c

Accepted Answer

Classical liberals typically support limited government intervention in the economy and society, which means they are less likely to support social welfare programs and high taxes. However, they do support antifraud policies to prevent individuals and corporations from engaging in fraudulent activities and harming others in the market.

Question 3

The amount of public policy and the costs of policy reflect a collective agreement on&#10;A) the size of the budget deficit.&#10;B) the need for socialism.&#10;C) the need for democracy.&#10;D) the scope of government.

Accepted Answer

The amount of public policy and the costs of policy reflect a collective agreement on the scope of government, meaning what areas the government should be involved in and to what extent. This determines the size and types of public programs, regulations, and spending priorities. The other options are not relevant to this concept.

Question 4

John Locke's philosophy of government&#10;A) was highly critical of the classical liberal philosophy of his time.&#10;B) illustrates the importance of equality in the classical liberal social contract.&#10;C) placed significant emphasis on the value of personal freedom.&#10;D) is the basis of modern communitarian ideals.

Accepted Answer

John Locke's philosophy of government emphasized the value of personal freedom and the importance of protecting individuals' natural rights, including life, liberty, and property. This is reflected in his famous work, Two Treatises of Government, which argued for the consent of the governed and the role of government as a protector of citizens' rights. His philosophy was foundational to the development of classical liberalism and influenced the American Revolution and the Constitution.

Question 5

It is fair to say that while John Locke presents a highly normative view of public policy and governance, John Stuart Mill's writings implicitly use empiricism to inform governments' normative actions.

Accepted Answer

John Locke emphasizes natural law and individual rights as the basis for legitimate government, while John Stuart Mill argues for utilitarianism and the idea that policies should be chosen based on their ability to promote the greatest happiness for the greatest number of people. However, Mill also emphasizes the importance of observation and experimentation in evaluating policies, which implies a reliance on empirical evidence to inform normative decisions.

Question 6

Positive freedom is most closely associated with which of the following philosophers?
I) Ludwig von Mises
II) John Locke
III) John Rawls
IV) Jean Jacques Rousseau

A) I only
B) I and III only
C) I and IV only
D) III and IV only

Accepted Answer

Positive freedom refers to the ability to pursue one's own goals and desires, and is associated with the ideas of John Rawls and Jean Jacques Rousseau. Ludwig von Mises and John Locke are more closely associated with the concept of negative freedom, which emphasizes the absence of external obstacles or constraints on individual action. Therefore, the correct answer is III and IV only.

Question 7

In applying Rousseau to the study of U.S. public policy, which of the following statements is FALSE?&#10;A) The establishment of national public policy goals in the United States is consistent with Rousseau's notion of societal goals and principles.&#10;B) Rousseau's general will as applied through mass society involvement in establishment of societal goals is not at all consistent with a growing role of citizen policy makers in the United States.&#10;C) Rousseau's views of equality are consistent with many modern liberal public policy goals in the United States, but he would likely reject the notion of positive freedom.&#10;D) All of the above

Accepted Answer

The answer of In applying Rousseau to the study of...

Question 8

Rawl's First Principle of Justice deals with&#10;A) equality before the law.&#10;B) freedom from want.&#10;C) the need for social order.&#10;D) equal representation.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Rawl's First Principle of Justice deals with&#10;A)...

Question 9

The &#34;difference principle&#34;&#10;A) states that a just society is one that provides a social safety net to its least benefited members.&#10;B) illustrates the futility of social policy because some people are naturally better than others.&#10;C) informs policymakers about the difference between positive and negative freedom.&#10;D) is the central tenet of Kantian thought.

Accepted Answer

The difference principle, as proposed by philosopher John Rawls, states that inequalities in society are only justifiable if they benefit the least advantaged members of society. This principle requires that a social safety net be provided to ensure that even the most disadvantaged members of society have access to basic resources and opportunities.

Question 10

Unlike philosophic liberals, communitarians tend to place greater faith in&#10;A) the role of law in defining individual rights and government policy obligations.&#10;B) cooperative relationships that exist in civil society and collective notions of good policy.&#10;C) the role of communism in defining a just society.&#10;D) the need for central government to dictate policy priorities to local communities.

Accepted Answer

Communitarians prioritize the role of civil society and collective notions of good policy over strict adherence to individual rights and government obligations defined by law. They believe that strong communities are necessary for a just society and that cooperation between individuals is essential for achieving common goals.

Deck 1: Policy and Visions of Governance