Question 1

The policymaking stage during which new issues are identified as problems for government to address is called ______.
A) policy formulation
B) policy implementation
C) policy evaluation
D) agenda setting

Accepted Answer

Agenda setting is the stage in the policymaking process during which new issues are identified as problems for the government to address. Policy formulation involves the development of proposed courses of action to address identified issues, policy implementation involves the implementation of adopted policies, and policy evaluation involves the assessment of the effectiveness of implemented policies.

Question 2

When the government encourages you to buy a home and allows you to take a deduction for the mortgage interest, it is using this form of government action ______.
A) taxing and spending
B) regulating
C) educating
D) charging fees

Accepted Answer

The government uses the taxing and spending form of action when it encourages home buying by allowing a deduction for mortgage interest. This is because it affects fiscal policy through tax incentives, reducing the tax burden for those who take out a mortgage to buy a home.

Question 3

Which of the following best describes the sequence of the policymaking process presented by the Kraft/Furlong policy process model?
A) policy formulation, policy evaluation, agenda setting, policy implementation
B) agenda setting, policy formulation, policy implementation, policy evaluation
C) policy evaluation, policy implementation, policy formulation, agenda setting
D) policy implementation, policy formulation, policy evaluation, agenda setting

Accepted Answer

The Kraft/Furlong policy process model follows the sequence of agenda setting, policy formulation, policy implementation, and policy evaluation. This means that first, an issue is identified and brought to the attention of policymakers through public demand, media attention, or political leadership. Then, policymakers develop potential solutions to address the issue through the policy formulation stage. Once a policy is chosen, it is implemented and put into action. Finally, policymakers evaluate the effectiveness of the policy and make changes as necessary.

Question 4

Market mechanisms as tools or instruments of policy are defined as ______.
A) those that rely upon the laws of supply and demand
B) regulating how transactions are conducted in the market
C) using forms of persuasion and education
D) government management of individuals or corporations

Accepted Answer

Market mechanisms as tools or instruments of policy rely upon the laws of supply and demand. These mechanisms allow for the efficient allocation of resources and can be used by governments to achieve policy goals, such as reducing pollution or promoting renewable energy, without needing to directly manage individual or corporate behavior.

Question 5

The policy instrument of ______ refers to government attempts to convey important information to citizens in order to influence their behavior.
A) analysis
B) formulation
C) education
D) privatization

Accepted Answer

The policy instrument of education is used by the government to provide information to citizens in an attempt to change their behavior. This can include public campaigns, public service announcements, and school-based education programs.

Question 6

Which statement describes the importance of theories in helping us to understand policymaking?
A) Theories help us understand why certain policies are adopted.
B) Theories describe relationships between political actors.
C) Development of theories helps to engage citizens in policymaking.
D) Theories must be developed before effective policymaking can occur.

Accepted Answer

Theories are important in helping us understand policymaking because they provide frameworks for analyzing and interpreting policy decisions. By understanding the underlying reasons and factors that influence policymaking, we can better predict policy outcomes and assess the effectiveness of policies. Choice B is also somewhat relevant, as theories can describe how different political actors interact and influence policymaking. However, it is not as directly related to understanding policymaking as choice A. Choice C is not accurate, as theories themselves do not necessarily engage citizens in policymaking (though they can inform public debates and discussions). Choice D is also incorrect, as policymaking can occur without explicit theories, though having theoretical frameworks can make policymaking more effective and efficient.

Question 7

The ______ theory of policymaking emphasizes the formal and legal parts of governmental structure.
A) elite
B) group
C) institutional
D) rational choice

Accepted Answer

The institutional theory emphasizes the formal and legal aspects of governmental structure and how they shape policymaking. This theory focuses on the procedures and rules that are put in place to regulate political behavior and decision-making processes. It highlights the importance of institutions such as the legislature, executive branch, and judiciary in shaping policy outcomes. The other options, elite and group theory, focus on the power dynamics of different groups or individuals in the policymaking process, while rational choice theory emphasizes the decision-making processes of individual actors.

Question 8

A ______ policy collects revenues from one group and spends it on services for a different group.
A) redistributive
B) market-based incentive
C) regulatory
D) salient

Accepted Answer

A redistributive policy takes money from one group and redistributes it to another group. This is often done through taxes and government spending programs, such as welfare or food stamps. The goal is to promote more equality by providing necessary resources or services to those who may not be able to afford them on their own.

Question 9

The policymaking stage that is considered to be the most critical is ______.
A) policy implementation
B) policy evaluation
C) policy formulation
D) agenda setting

Accepted Answer

Agenda setting is the most critical stage in policymaking because it determines which issues will be addressed and which ones will be ignored. Once an issue is on the policy agenda, it can then move through the other stages of policymaking, such as formulation, implementation, and evaluation.

Question 10

The ______ theory of policymaking draws heavily on economics to explain the actions of voters and also of elected officials as attempts to maximize self-interest.
A) elite
B) group
C) institutional
D) rational choice

Accepted Answer

The rational choice theory of policymaking draws heavily on economic principles and assumes that voters and elected officials act in their best self-interest to maximize their own benefit.

Question 11

During the ______ stage of policymaking, legislators rely on policy analysts to develop and study possible policy alternatives for them to consider.
A) legitimation
B) agenda-setting
C) policy formulation
D) program evaluation

Accepted Answer

The policy formulation stage involves the development and analysis of potential policy alternatives by policy analysts, which legislators can then consider as they work to draft and pass legislation.

Question 12

______ refers to the occasion when the public is aware of and discussing an issue even though politicians may not be discussing the issue.
A) Institutional agenda
B) Systemic agenda
C) Political agenda
D) Government agenda

Accepted Answer

The systemic agenda encompasses all issues that are publicly discussed and perceived as meriting public attention and governmental action, even if they are not yet being actively considered by legislative bodies or government officials.

Question 13

The ______ theory of policymaking empathizes how the values and preferences of smaller unrepresentative groups of people shape public policy.
A) political
B) economic
C) rational
D) elite

Accepted Answer

The elite theory suggests that a small group of wealthy or influential individuals holds a disproportionate amount of power over policy decisions, often at the expense of the broader public. This theory emphasizes the role of elites in shaping policy outcomes, rather than the preferences of the broader population.

Question 14

Legitimation is the stage of policymaking in which ______.
A) proposals are developed for actions that could be taken to resolve a problem
B) programs are implemented and funds expended
C) legal force is given to a policy proposal and the public accepts the policy
D) problem definitions are analyzed to determine their legitimacy

Accepted Answer

Legitimation is the stage at which legal force is given to a policy proposal and the public accepts the policy. This stage is critical because it can determine the success or failure of the policy. It involves gaining public support and ensuring that the policy is seen as legitimate and necessary. It usually involves public debate, comments from interest groups, and ultimately, the adoption of a policy by the government or other relevant authority.

Question 15

The ______ refers to what might be done about the problem.
A) systemic force
B) policy stream
C) underlying condition
D) political system theory

Accepted Answer

The concept of "policy stream" refers to the process of how policies are formed and what factors influence their creation. This includes consideration of potential solutions to problems or issues. Therefore, option B is the best choice for the given question. The other options are not directly related to the process of policy formulation or problem-solving.

Question 16

Political systems theory explains policymaking as a process of ______.
A) interaction among the government institutions and the larger social, economic, and cultural context in which they operate
B) moving from the stage of agenda setting to policy formulation to implementation
C) rational decisions made by individuals
D) interactions among political leaders

Accepted Answer

Political systems theory views policymaking as a product of the interactions among government institutions and the wider social, economic, and cultural context in which they operate. It suggests that policymaking emerges through complex and often unpredictable interactions between different actors and institutions, including elected officials, bureaucrats, interest groups, and citizens. This approach emphasizes the importance of understanding the broader context in which policymaking occurs, rather than focusing solely on the actions and decisions of individual policymakers.

Question 17

Which of the following combinations of saliency and conflict provide the greatest opportunity for an issue to be placed on the government's agenda?
A) low saliency, low conflict
B) high saliency, high conflict
C) low saliency, high conflict
D) high saliency, low conflict

Accepted Answer

High saliency means that the issue is a significant concern for the public, while low conflict means that there is little disagreement about the issue. When an issue has high saliency but low conflict, policymakers are more likely to take action because they don't risk alienating any particular group. Therefore, option D is the most likely combination to provide an opportunity for an issue to be placed on the government's agenda.

Question 18

The policymaking stage during which money is spent, regulations are adopted, and the policy is carried out is called ______.
A) policy evaluation
B) agenda setting
C) policy implementation
D) policy formulation

Accepted Answer

Policy implementation is the stage where the policy is put into action, which involves the allocation of financial resources and the development of regulations necessary to implement the policy. This stage follows policy formulation and precedes policy evaluation. Agenda setting is the stage where policymakers identify issues and prioritize them for policymaking. Policy evaluation is the stage where the effectiveness and outcomes of the policy are assessed.

Question 19

A regulation is ______.
A) the government levying taxes on certain goods
B) use of the budget process to encourage or discourage behavior
C) the government providing information, so citizens can make their own choices
D) the rule that governs the operation of a particular government program

Accepted Answer

A regulation is a rule that governs the operation of a particular government program or activity. A is incorrect because taxes are not considered regulations. B is incorrect because the budget process is not a regulation, but rather a tool used by the government to allocate funds. C is incorrect because providing information is not necessarily a regulation, but rather an aspect of public education or communication.

Question 20

The primary assumption of elite theory is that in shaping public policy, ______.
A) the public plays a central role through feedback processes
B) the values and preferences of the general public are less influential than those of a small group of experts or leaders
C) elites, such as interest groups and the public, are most influential
D) at the early stages of policymaking, the public plays a stronger role, while elites decide on policy

Accepted Answer

Elite theory posits that a small group of elites, such as experts or leaders, wield disproportionate power and make decisions that shape public policy. The general public may have some influence, but it is generally considered to be less influential than the elites.

Quiz 3: Understanding Public Policymaking

The policymaking stage during which new issues are identified as problems for government to address is called ______.

When the government encourages you to buy a home and allows you to take a deduction for the mortgage interest, it is using this form of government action ______.

Which of the following best describes the sequence of the policymaking process presented by the Kraft/Furlong policy process model?

Market mechanisms as tools or instruments of policy are defined as ______.

The policy instrument of ______ refers to government attempts to convey important information to citizens in order to influence their behavior.

Which statement describes the importance of theories in helping us to understand policymaking?

The ______ theory of policymaking emphasizes the formal and legal parts of governmental structure.

A ______ policy collects revenues from one group and spends it on services for a different group.

The policymaking stage that is considered to be the most critical is ______.

The ______ theory of policymaking draws heavily on economics to explain the actions of voters and also of elected officials as attempts to maximize self-interest.

During the ______ stage of policymaking, legislators rely on policy analysts to develop and study possible policy alternatives for them to consider.

______ refers to the occasion when the public is aware of and discussing an issue even though politicians may not be discussing the issue.

The ______ theory of policymaking empathizes how the values and preferences of smaller unrepresentative groups of people shape public policy.

Legitimation is the stage of policymaking in which ______.

The ______ refers to what might be done about the problem.

Political systems theory explains policymaking as a process of ______.

Which of the following combinations of saliency and conflict provide the greatest opportunity for an issue to be placed on the government's agenda?

The policymaking stage during which money is spent, regulations are adopted, and the policy is carried out is called ______.

A regulation is ______.

The primary assumption of elite theory is that in shaping public policy, ______.