Deck 8: The Making of Governmental Policy

Question 1

You were invited to participate in the public protest organized in question 8.6 above, but did not attend because you consider politics a waste of time.Government seems
To only listen to money.How would you describe yourself with regards to your
Understanding of the policy process?

A)a rationalist
B)an elitist
C)a residualist
D)a populist

Answer 1

B

Question 2

When a policy is enacted,does this ensure implementation? Why or why not?

Answer 2

no answer

Question 3

When trying to understand the status of a specific policy proposal,it is important to remember that money to fund the change is not actually available until:

A)a means is found to pay for the changes.
B)budget authorizations are finalized.
C)the public votes on the changes.
D)budget allocations are finalized.

Answer 3

D

Question 4

The best indication that social workers can still be influential in policy practice is the work being done by those:

A)running for political office.
B)working as constituent services.
C)conducting program evaluations.
D)operating on the local level.

Question 5

One example that suggests that legislators spend more time on re-election that on public policy issues is:

A)assigning staff to constituency services.
B)serving on multiple committees.
C)asking staff to study policy issues on the legislator's behalf.
D)listening to the testimony of nongovernmental experts.

Question 6

In your opinion what is the most important phase of the policy process? Why?

Question 7

You work three years with a community collaborative promoting extension of food benefits to ex-offenders.A state legislator has sponsored the bill,but the Speaker of
The House does not refer it to committee until the last day of the legislative session.
At what stage of the policy process has your proposal failed?

A)formulation
B)legislation
C)implementation
D)evaluation

Question 8

The authors believe that the public policy process is:

A)receptive to input from disadvantaged groups.
B)efficient and effective at implementing policy changes to respond to immediate needs for the general welfare.
C)not intended to facilitate passage of a proposal into law.
D)rational and equitable.

Question 9

What are the primary obstacles to public policy reflecting the interests of all citizens
to the greatest extent possible?

Question 10

Your policy proposal seems to have fallen on deaf ears at your state's capitol.None of staffers working for legislators appear interested in your ideas.At what stage of
The policy process has your proposal failed?

A)formulation
B)legislation
C)implementation
D)evaluation

Question 11

You suggest a change in your agency that you believe will improve services to your clients,and you get approval to make this new change.Two months after you think
The change has been made,you discover that two remote sites are still operating
Under the old rules.At what stage of the policy process has your proposal failed in
Those two sites?

A)formulation
B)legislation
C)implementation
D)evaluation

Question 12

Upset that state budget cuts have curtailed funding for major programs serving people with disabilities,you organize a protest in your state capital with placards,
Large crowds,and public speakers.How would you best describe yourself with
Regards to your understanding of the policy process?

A)a social activist
B)a rationalist
C)an incrementalist
D)an institutionalist

Question 13

Why do the authors insist that formulating social welfare policy in the U.S.is a "complicated and often arduous process?"

Question 14

How brings the least resources to bear on the political process?

A)lobbyists
B)labor
C)business
D)social advocacy groups

Question 15

You believe that social welfare benefits should be available to people in America only after they have done all that they can to take care of themselves by working,relying
On family and friends to help during rough times,and exhausting the help local
Nonprofits offer.You are most likely to be described as:

A)a progressive
B)an institutionalist
C)an incrementalist
D)a residualist

Question 16

Approximately half of Americans get their health and welfare needs met through:

A)Medicare
B)Social Security
C)employer-provided benefits
D)self-help programs

Question 17

Involvement of social workers in the formulation of social policy has been diminishing for four decades.How would you explain this trend?

A)social workers are not interested in policy changes that might benefit their clients.
B)social workers consider policy practice to be something that is out of reach for all but a very small number of practitioners.
C)the skills social workers develop for direct practice may leave them ill prepared for the analytical and informational demands of policy practice.
D)policy practice is outside of the scope of state licensing requirements.

Question 18

What are the primary obstacles to you pursuing a career in policy practice rather
than direct practice?

Question 19

The authors contend that the lack of influence over public policy by lower socioeconomic groups is built into the government decision process.How is that best
Indicated?

A)by non-decision making in which the interests of lower socioeconomic groups do not even come up for consideration.
B)by making it more difficult for lower socioeconomic groups to vote.
C)by refusing to accept donations from lower socioeconomic groups and the advocacy organizations that represent them.
D)by conducting government decision making behind closed doors.

Question 20

You were invited to participate in the public protest organized in question 8.6 above, but did not attend.You did,however,spend some time online studying the issue and
Writing a letter to your state legislature and the governor.How would you describe
Yourself with regards to your understanding of the policy process?

A)a social activist
B)a rationalist
C)a populist
D)an institutionalist