Policy-making Domestic and Economic. Theories of Public Policy Definition of Public policy: “…an...
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Transcript of Policy-making Domestic and Economic. Theories of Public Policy Definition of Public policy: “…an...
Policy-making
Domestic and Economic
Theories of Public Policy
• Definition of Public policy: “…an intentional course of action or inaction followed by government in dealing with some problem or matter of concern.”
• Elite theory: elites have power to make and implement policy.
• Bureaucratic theory: all institutions are under control of a bureaucracy that carries out policy using standardized procedures.
• Interest group theory: interest groups control the governmental process.
• Pluralist theory: political resources are so widely scattered that no single group could ever gain absolute control over a large area of public policy.
Policy-making Process
• 1. Problem recognition – identify an issue of public concern. Request governmental intervention.
• 2. Agenda setting – government recognition of a problem and need for action.
• 3. Policy formulation - identification of alternative approaches to the problem.
• 4. Policy adoption – formal selection of policies through legislative, executive, judicial, and bureaucratic means.
• 5. Budgeting – allocation of resources for implementation.
• 6. Policy implementation – administration or application of policies.
• 7. Policy evaluation – accomplishments, consequences, shortcomings.
Policy Implementation
• Authoritative techniques – directed or restrained by gov’t to prevent or eliminate unsafe, unfair, evil, or immoral activities or products.
• Incentive techniques – offer incentives to encourage people to act in their own best interests
• Capacity techniques – provide education, training, or resources to enable people to follow policies.
• Hortatory techniques – encourage compliance by appealing to people’s “better instincts”.
Domestic Policies - Health
• Medicare – disabled or over 65.
paid for by payroll deduction – 1.45%
Four parts f benefits.
A: hospitalization, skilled nursing care, home health services.
B: Optional. Dr. services, X-rays, other things not covered by part A. Some charge to patient.
C: Medicare Advantage programs – private insurance companies. Exceeds coverage offered under Medicare.
D: Optional prescription drug benefit. Monthly premium plus deductible.
• Medicaid – subsidizes health insurance for the poor.
• Joint venture between national and state governments.
• Money given in form of block grants.
• States add supplemental monies.
• National health insurance – no universal health insurance.
• Strongly opposed by AMA.• Major reform – Patient Protection and
Affordable Care Act. Main purpose is to assure that nearly all Americans have access to health care coverage. Government run healthcare insurance exchanges are key.
• Public Health – managing the growth of infectious and chronic diseases.
• AIDS, obesity, polio. measles, chicken pox.
• Required immunizations to be enrolled in school.
• Finances medical research through the National Institutes of Health.
Education Policy
• Brown v. Board of Education – desegregated schools
• Civil Rights Act – promoted equality of opportunity
• Elementary and Secondary Education Act – advance equality of opportunity.
• Conservatives – privatization of education.
No Child Left Behind Act
• 1. results-oriented accountability
• 2. flexibility in funding
• 3. best practices
• 4. school choice
• Vouchers – certificates applied towards tuition to attend another school
• Charter schools – semipublic schools
Energy and Environmental Policy
• 1977 – Department of Energy created.
• Corporate Average Fuel Efficiency standards
• Energy Act of 1977 – tax breaks for alternate energy sources
• EPA
• Clean Air Act
Ongoing Issues
• Healthcare – budget shortfalls in the Medicare program. Possible solutions: increase in Medicare tax on workers or increasing age of eligibility.
• Education – NCLB is controversial – too much standardized testing, teaching to the test, nationalizes education, mandates but no money.
• Energy and Environment – Renewable Portfolio Standards – requires set amounts of electricity to be generated frpm alternative sources.
• Encourage citizens to “go green”