Question 1

What kind of democracy is characteristic of USA government?

Accepted Answer

The USA government is a representative democracy where citizens elect representatives to make decisions on their behalf. It is not a direct democracy where each citizen makes decisions directly. It is also not a socialist democracy where the government owns and controls all resources and means of production. Finally, it is not a totalitarian democracy where a single party or individual has complete control over the government and the people.

Question 2

While Thomas Hobbes (1588-1679) argued that citizens gave up all natural rights to enter into the social contract, John Locke (1632-1704) in contrast argued that:

Accepted Answer

John Locke argued that people retained certain inalienable rights, such as property, that should be protected by the government. He believed that the purpose of government was to safeguard these rights, and that governments that failed to fulfill this duty could be overthrown by the people. Locke's ideas were influential in shaping the American Revolution and the founding of the United States.

Question 3

The ethical theory of utilitarianism may seek to:

Accepted Answer

Utilitarianism focuses on maximizing pleasure and minimizing pain for the greatest number of people. It does not involve the concepts of treating people as ends (deontological ethics) or following the will of a supreme being or ultimate reality (divine command theory).

Question 4

According to the textbook, what conceptual framework may be the focus of policy analysis?

Accepted Answer

The textbook states that policy analysis may focus on a basic conceptual framework, such as economic theory, as well as on applied conceptual frameworks, such as theories of public management or political science. Additionally, policy analysis may be analysis-centered, meaning it emphasizes the use of analytical tools and methods to evaluate policy options. Therefore, all of the above options are correct.

Question 5

According to the textbook, which of the following is NOT a theory of public policy?

Accepted Answer

Transparency Theory is not a theory of public policy. Elite Theory, Systems Theory, and Group Theory are all widely recognized theories in the field of public policy.

Question 6

Once a problem is recognized and defined, the next stage of policymaking is:

Accepted Answer

After recognizing and defining a problem, the next stage of policymaking is agenda setting. This involves deciding which problems require attention, who will address them, and how they will be addressed. Only after the agenda is set can the policymaking process move forward to policy adoption, budgeting, and policy implementation.

Question 7

The stage of the policymaking process in which a proposal is given legal authority is:

Accepted Answer

Policy adoption is the stage of the policymaking process in which a proposal is given legal authority. This means that a proposal has been approved and translated into an official policy by a relevant authority, such as a legislative body or executive branch. Agenda setting involves identifying and prioritizing issues for government action, policy formulation involves creating specific proposals and plans to address identified issues, and evaluation involves assessing the effectiveness and impact of implemented policies.

Question 8

Most public policies are implemented by:

Accepted Answer

Public policies are typically implemented by public administrators, who are responsible for carrying out the policies and programs established by elected officials. Congress and the President play important roles in shaping policy, but they do not typically directly implement policies. Committees may also be involved in policy development, but they are not responsible for implementation.

Question 9

The stage of the policy process concerned with determining what a policy is actually accomplishing is called:

Accepted Answer

Policy evaluation is the stage of the policy process where policymakers and analysts attempt to determine what policy is actually accomplishing. This involves assessing whether the policy is achieving its intended goals and whether there are any unintended consequences. Policy evaluation is critical for determining whether a policy should be continued, modified, or terminated.

Question 10

Policy analysis may be defined as primarily concerned with:

Accepted Answer

The answer of Policy analysis may be defined as primarily...

Question 11

Policy evaluation may be defined as primarily concerned with:

Accepted Answer

Policy evaluation is concerned with assessing whether a policy has achieved its intended impact, goals and objectives. It considers the effectiveness, efficiency, equity, relevance, and sustainability of the policy. The evaluation process helps policymakers to determine whether the resources invested in policy implementation were worth it or not. Therefore choice B is the correct answer. Choices A and C are incorrect because policy evaluation assumes that a policy exists and focuses on assessing its implementation and impact. Choice D is irrelevant to policy evaluation.

Question 12

Policy evaluations may focus on:

Accepted Answer

Policy evaluations can serve multiple purposes, including managerial purposes of efficiency and economy, political purposes of representativeness and responsiveness, and legal purposes of equal protection and procedural due process. Therefore, the best choice is D, which includes all of these options.

Question 13

A theory of the public interests ethics that may emphasize the role of public administrators as "philosopher-Kings":

Accepted Answer

The theory of the public interests ethics that emphasizes the role of public administrators as "philosopher-Kings" is based on the virtue ethics approach. This approach argues that public administrators should possess certain virtues such as honesty, integrity, justice, and fairness to serve the public good. They should act as moral leaders and decision-makers who make decisions based on what is morally right and wrong, rather than based on self-interest or political expediency. Therefore, the answer is B, virtue.

Question 14

According to the textbook, a public policy manager's primary role is to act as a problem-solver under which value of the public interests?

Accepted Answer

Pragmatism emphasizes practical solutions and actions that can be implemented to address problems and advance public interests, which is the primary role of a public policy manager. Rationalism focuses on logical reasoning and analysis, while brokerism emphasizes negotiation and compromise, and protectionalism prioritizes the protection of certain groups or interests.

Question 15

The public interacts with public administrators as:

Accepted Answer

The public interacts with public administrators as litigants when they are involved in legal disputes with the government. They interact as regulatees when they are subject to government regulations, and as clients when they receive services from the government. Therefore, all of the above choices are correct.

Question 16

By what means may citizens participate in bureaucratic politics?

Accepted Answer

Citizens can participate in bureaucratic politics in multiple ways. They can participate in the democratic process by voting for elected officials who will appoint bureaucrats. Interest group activities are another way citizens can participate, as they can lobby, petition or donate money to try to influence bureaucratic decision-making. Protests are also a way for citizens to voice their opinions and concerns about bureaucratic policy. Therefore, citizens can participate in bureaucratic politics through voting, interest group activities, protests and other forms of civic engagement.

Quiz 3: Utility in Democratic Policymaking