Question 1

A major challenge to long-term policy planning efforts is&#10;A) the lack of informed policy makers.&#10;B) planning is largely impossible.&#10;C) goal drift/shift.&#10;D) effective plans must remain the same over time.

Accepted Answer

Goal drift/shift, where the original objectives of a policy or plan are altered over time, is a major challenge to long-term policy planning efforts. It is difficult to anticipate and account for all the possible changes in circumstances, priorities, and stakeholders that can occur over a long time frame. This can lead to inefficient use of resources, a lack of accountability, and ultimately, failure to achieve intended outcomes. The other options are not accurate – informed policy makers are necessary for effective planning, planning is not impossible but rather a difficult and ongoing process, and effective plans must adapt to changing circumstances over time.

Question 2

Which of the following organizations often provide input into the congressional policy formulation process?&#10;A) Congressional Budget Office&#10;B) Congressional Research Office&#10;C) Government Accounting Office&#10;D) All of the above

Accepted Answer

All of the above organizations often provide input into the congressional policy formulation process. The Congressional Budget Office provides economic analysis and cost estimates for proposed legislation, the Congressional Research Office provides research and analysis on various policy issues, and the Government Accounting Office provides auditing and evaluation of government programs and activities.

Question 3

The Executive Office of the President was created as a result of recommendations from the&#10;A) Watergate Commission.&#10;B) Volker Commission.&#10;C) Warren Commission.&#10;D) Brownlow Commission.

Accepted Answer

The Executive Office of the President was created in 1939 as a result of recommendations from the Brownlow Commission. The Commission had been tasked with studying ways to improve the organization and efficiency of the federal government, and one of its key recommendations was the creation of a permanent executive office to assist the President in the performance of his duties.

Question 4

The presidential counterpart to the CBO is the&#10;A) BOB.&#10;B) OMB.&#10;C) GAO.&#10;D) CRS.

Accepted Answer

The correct presidential counterpart to the CBO is the OMB (Office of Management and Budget), which is responsible for preparing the president's budget proposal, analyzing and evaluating the effectiveness of agency programs, and overseeing the implementation of the president's policies across the federal government. The BOB (Bureau of the Budget) was the previous name for the OMB, but it was changed in 1970. The GAO (Government Accountability Office) is an independent agency that provides auditing, evaluation, and investigative services to Congress. The CRS (Congressional Research Service) is a legislative branch agency that provides policy and legal analysis to members of Congress.

Question 5

Which of the following statements about the courts in policy formulation is the most accurate?&#10;A) The courts became more actively involved in policy formulation in the 1950s and 1960s.&#10;B) In the last two decades, the court has often used the 10th and 11th Amendments to limit national government policy formulation.&#10;C) Under President George W. Bush, the national government has significantly reduced the amount of public policy being formulated.&#10;D) Both a and b

Accepted Answer

Statement A is accurate. The courts became more actively involved in policy formulation in the 1950s and 1960s, particularly in areas such as civil rights, voting rights, and criminal justice.

Statement B is also accurate. In recent years, the court has relied on the 10th and 11th Amendments to limit national government policy formulation, particularly with regards to issues such as healthcare, gun control, and environmental regulation.

Statement C is not accurate. There is no evidence to suggest that the national government has significantly reduced the amount of public policy being formulated under President George W. Bush.

Question 6

Interest groups can influence policy formulation through presidential commission activities.

Accepted Answer

Interest groups can provide input and recommendations to presidential commissions, which often play a role in policy formulation. This can have an influence on the policies that are ultimately proposed and passed.

Question 7

Through the use of amicus curiae, _______________ may influence _______________ in policy formulation choices.&#10;A) bureaucrats/Congress&#10;B) interest groups/the courts&#10;C) interest groups/the president&#10;D) bureaucrats/the president

Accepted Answer

Amicus curiae, also known as "friend of the court," briefs are frequently filed by interest groups with the courts to provide additional information and arguments to influence judicial decision-making. Therefore, interest groups can use amicus curiae to influence the courts in policy formulation choices.

Question 8

Rulemaking is an important method by which _____________ influence policy formulation.&#10;A) bureaucrats&#10;B) courts&#10;C) the president&#10;D) the media

Accepted Answer

Rulemaking is a process used by bureaucrats to create regulations outlining how laws will be enforced. It is an important way that bureaucrats influence policy formulation as they have the expertise and resources needed to develop detailed regulations governing a specific area.

Question 9

Globalism can have an impact on policy formulation through constraints imposed by&#10;A) world economic change.&#10;B) trade agreements.&#10;C) environmental accords.&#10;D) All of the above

Accepted Answer

Globalism, which refers to interconnectedness and interdependence of the world's economies, can impact policy formulation through various constraints imposed by world economic change, trade agreements, and environmental accords. These constraints require policymakers to consider the global impact of their decisions and coordinate with other countries to achieve shared objectives, ultimately influencing policy formulation. Therefore, all of the above-mentioned factors can have an impact on policy formulation.

Question 10

Bottom-up policy making provides an opportunity for ____________ to shape policy formulation.&#10;A) citizens&#10;B) foreign governments&#10;C) federal bureaucrats&#10;D) None of the above

Accepted Answer

Bottom-up policy making involves input from citizens and stakeholders at the local level, allowing them to have a greater influence on policy formulation. Foreign governments and federal bureaucrats may have a role in top-down policy making processes.

Deck 6: Policy Formulation