Question 1

The failure of South Carolina to lower the Confederate Flag to half-mast after the mass shooting at the Emanual African Methodist Episcopal Church in 2015 is an example of

Accepted Answer

A focusing event is a significant occurrence that captures public attention and prompts political action or policy change. The mass shooting at the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in 2015 and the subsequent controversy over the Confederate Flag not being lowered to half-mast highlighted issues of racism and historical symbolism, leading to increased public and political discourse on the matter.

Question 2

The phrase "the science of muddling through" has been used to describe which approach to policy making?

Accepted Answer

The phrase "the science of muddling through" is associated with incrementalism, a theory of public policy making that suggests policy changes occur in small, incremental steps rather than through comprehensive or radical shifts.

Question 3

The type of policy making most closely associated with an incrementalist approach is

Accepted Answer

Incrementalism in policy making refers to small, gradual changes rather than large, sweeping reforms. Budgeting is the area most closely associated with this approach, as it typically involves making minor adjustments to existing financial allocations rather than radical overhauls.

Question 4

All of the following are things that can complicate policy implementation EXCEPT:

Accepted Answer

Clear and realistic objectives typically facilitate rather than complicate policy implementation. They provide a clear direction and criteria for success, making it easier for all parties involved to understand and work towards the intended outcomes.

Question 5

Policy evaluations can take which of the following forms?

Accepted Answer

Policy evaluations can take the form of both process evaluations, which assess the implementation and operation of a policy, and impact evaluations, which measure the outcomes or effects of the policy.

Question 6

Groups of people who either receive benefits or bear costs as a result of a policy decision are known as

Accepted Answer

"Target populations" are the groups of people who are directly affected by policy decisions, either through receiving benefits or bearing costs.

Question 7

The role played by "target populations" in the formulation of public policy alternatives can often undermine the core democratic principle of

Accepted Answer

Target populations can influence the formulation of public policy in ways that may not reflect the broader interests or will of the entire population, potentially undermining political equality by giving certain groups more influence than others.

Question 8

Some research suggests that citizens can be manipulated into greater compliance with tax policy through a

Accepted Answer

Social pressure can influence individuals to comply with tax policies as people often conform to societal norms and expectations.

Question 9

The success of the Behavior Insight Team (or "Nudge Unit") in the United Kingdom in increasing citizen compliance with government policies reflects the influence of _________________ on policy development.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The success of the Behavior Insight Team...

Question 10

The goal of a policy analyst is

Accepted Answer

The primary goal of a policy analyst is to evaluate and determine the best possible response to a policy problem, considering various factors such as effectiveness, efficiency, and equity.

Question 11

Which of the following groups is most likely to successfully gain agenda access in the United States?

Accepted Answer

Groups with significant financial resources, such as a coalition of investment banks, are more likely to gain agenda access due to their ability to fund campaigns, lobby effectively, and influence policymakers.

Question 12

The surest way to ensure that a policy will not be adopted is to

Accepted Answer

Preventing an issue from reaching the agenda of government effectively ensures that a policy will not be adopted, as it blocks any formal consideration or debate on the policy within the legislative or executive branches.

Question 13

Compared to other democracies, America generally has a worse record on the core principle of political equality, a better record on political freedom, and a roughly similar record on majority rule.

Accepted Answer

America's political system is often criticized for its inequalities, such as disparities in political influence and representation. However, it is also praised for its strong protections of political freedoms, like freedom of speech and assembly. When it comes to majority rule, the U.S. has mechanisms like the Electoral College and the Senate that can lead to outcomes not directly reflecting the popular vote, but this balance between majority rule and protection of minority rights is a feature seen in various forms in other democracies as well.

Question 14

Public policy is a relatively stable, purposive course of action pursued by government officials or agencies.

Accepted Answer

Public policy refers to a deliberate system of principles to guide decisions and achieve rational outcomes, typically pursued by government officials or agencies to address public issues through consistent and structured actions.

Question 15

"Police Patrol" oversight is an example of the policy evaluation stage of public policymaking.

Accepted Answer

Police Patrol oversight is a form of monitoring and evaluation of a public policy, which is a key component of the policy evaluation stage.

Question 16

Congress is primarily responsible for the policy implementation stage of public policymaking.

Accepted Answer

Congress is primarily responsible for the policy formulation stage, including creating and passing legislation, while the executive branch agencies are generally responsible for policy implementation.

Question 17

Rational-comprehensive decision making is the most realistic approach to explaining public policy development.

Accepted Answer

Rational-comprehensive decision making, while ideal in theory, is often too time-consuming and resource-intensive to be fully realistic in the complex and dynamic environment of public policy development, where decisions must frequently be made under conditions of uncertainty and limited information. Incrementalism or mixed-scanning models are often considered more realistic for explaining how public policy is actually developed.

Question 18

Public education is a good example of an "intractable" problem.

Accepted Answer

Public education is often considered an intractable problem because it involves complex, interrelated issues such as funding, policy, socioeconomic factors, and diverse student needs, making it difficult to find a one-size-fits-all solution.

Question 19

Public policy should always be guided by majority preferences, even when it means denying a minority group a right to which they feel they are entitled.

Accepted Answer

Public policy should balance majority preferences with the protection of minority rights to ensure fairness, equity, and adherence to democratic principles and human rights standards.

Question 20

The evaluations of policy analysts can never be truly objective.

Accepted Answer

Policy analysis involves subjective judgments about values, priorities, and the interpretation of data, making complete objectivity challenging to achieve.

Quiz 16: Core Democratic Principles and Public Policy