Question 1

What are the three "streams" in political scientist John Kingdon's model of the policy-making process?

Accepted Answer

John Kingdon's model of the policy-making process includes three streams: problems, policies, and politics. The problem stream consists of issues that gain attention and become recognized as problems that require action. The policy stream includes potential solutions that are developed by experts, interest groups, and policymakers. The politics stream consists of the political climate and factors that influence the decision-making process, including public opinion, interest group pressure, and the actions of elected officials.

Question 2

The federal government spends far more on

Accepted Answer

The federal government allocates a significant portion of its budget to programs for the elderly, such as Social Security and Medicare, which far exceed spending on programs for veterans and on unemployment insurance benefits.

Question 3

According to political scientist John Kingdon's model of the policy-making process, what must happen to open a "window of opportunity" in which policy change is possible?

Accepted Answer

According to Kingdon's model, a "window of opportunity" for policy change opens when three streams - the problem stream, the policy stream, and the politics stream - converge. Specifically, a social condition must be defined as a "problem," there must be viable policy alternatives to solving the problem, and the political environment must be conducive to implementing a solution. This convergence can be influenced by a variety of factors, including changes in public opinion, the emergence of new policy ideas or technologies, and shifts in the balance of power among political actors.

Question 4

Describe the differences between contributory programs, noncontributory programs, and tax expenditures and provide an example of each.What are some current concerns regarding spending for two of the largest government programs: Social Security and Medicare?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Describe the differences between contributory programs, noncontributory...

Question 5

If groups looking to legalize marijuana for recreational use failed to change the federal government's policy toward the drug and, as a result, began lobbying state legislatures where
Legalization was popular, it would be an example of

Accepted Answer

Venue shopping refers to intentionally choosing a specific location or jurisdiction to pursue a legal case or issue because it is more likely to provide a favorable outcome. In this scenario, the groups looking to legalize marijuana are shifting their focus to state legislatures where legalization is popular because they are unlikely to change federal policy. This can be seen as a form of venue shopping.

Question 6

The "feminization of poverty" refers to the fact that

Accepted Answer

The term "feminization of poverty" refers to the trend of women being disproportionately affected by poverty compared to men. Women are more likely to be poor than men, which is a result of various factors such as the gender pay gap, gender discrimination, and the responsibilities of childcare and household work falling primarily on women.

Question 7

What does it mean to say that Americans are "philosophical conservatives and operational liberals"?

Accepted Answer

This means that Americans tend to hold conservative views in the abstract, such as limited government and individual freedom, but they are typically supportive of specific government programs that they believe are necessary or beneficial, such as Social Security or Medicare. This is sometimes referred to as the "conservative paradox."

Question 8

Which of the following programs provide the MOST benefits the working poor?

Accepted Answer

The Earned Income Tax Credit directly benefits low-income working individuals and families by providing them with a refundable tax credit. This program has been shown to reduce poverty and reward work, making it the most effective option for supporting the working poor. Medicare, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, and subsidized student loans may provide assistance to those in need, but they do not specifically target the working poor or address the issue of low wages.

Question 9

Discuss political scientist John Kingdon's three-"stream" model of the policy-making process.In addition to defining what each "stream" refers to and how each plays into policy making, illustrate how Kingdon's model might explain the social policy response to the challenges posed by rising employment rates among women in recent decades.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Discuss political scientist John Kingdon's three-"stream" model...

Question 10

Americans do not benefit equally from social programs.Describe and analyze the distribution of government benefits.What groups benefit the most and from what types of programs? Who receives the fewest benefits? Why do these differences exist across groups?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Americans do not benefit equally from social...

Question 11

Describe some of the earliest forms of welfare to help the poor and discuss the differences between the so-called deserving and undeserving poor and so-called indoor and outdoor relief.Why have attempts by government to alleviate poverty been so controversial for much of American history? What event did the most to transform American attitudes toward poverty relief, and why?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Describe some of the earliest forms of...

Question 12

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) enacted major changes to the health care system after its passage in 2010.Describe the three main features of the ACA as Congress passed it, and discuss how the Supreme Court has ruled on the constitutionality of various features of the ACA.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The Affordable Care Act (ACA) enacted major...

Question 13

The Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 provided 12 weeks of unpaid leave each year to employees of firms with at least 50 workers to care for

Accepted Answer

The Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 provides 12 weeks of unpaid leave each year to employees of firms with at least 50 workers to care for their own health or that of a qualifying family member. This could include caring for a spouse, child, or parent who has a serious health condition. It does not specifically address newborn children or children under the age of 12, and it only covers biological parents in cases where they have a serious health condition.

Quiz 17: Social Policy