Policy Makers: Roles and Realities Chapter 4 March 30, 2004

Policy Makers In a democracy, policy makers are in pivotal positions of power They must have an improved condition result from their efforts, which can be difficult in a democracy, because conflicts and opinions are openly expressed They are in the business of effecting change, they supply the “heat”

Policy Makers They have an important role in the political process Legitimation- an activity that establishes widely recognized ground rules for decision making and the specific means through which such actions can take place

History of Policy Makers Early on in American History policy makers were the “iron triangle,” bureaucracy, interests groups, and legislative committees More recently they work as policy networks- collections of individuals inside as well as outside the official boundaries of government Now policy makers are being seen as personnel- they are accountable for the ways in which they manage (or refuse to manage) the issues placed before them

Major Policy Making Authorities in American Politics Congress President Judiciary Bureaucracy Voting Public

Congress Independent legislature with extensive policy making authority Article I, Sect. 8, Necessary and Proper Clause Responsibilities and concerns have grown throughout history – Changes in the House – Some believe Congress does more delegating now or more deferring – Shift of power within Congress – Postpassage Politics-the politics of policy resolution that takes place in conference committees after the observable legislative ritual

President Centerpiece of the nation’s policy making network Before the Great Depression presidential activities centered largely on administrative and facilitative functions – President spoke our on wars, economic calamities Now presidents propose policies, make them, and order their implementation by other agencies

President Initially the president’s role in policy was tentative and unclear They wanted a president with somewhat limited powers, to remain above parties and factions, enforce the laws of Congress, negotiate with foreign governments, and help states in times of civil disorder Early presidents were conservative with their authority Presidents are most powerful in times of deadlock and crisis

Judiciary In Early America decisions of the Supreme Court fluctuated with the needs of the people Now they are active in the policy making process Judicial Review-the Supreme Court validates acts of people in other components of the system when those acts were contrary to the Constitution

Judiciary Supreme Court has changed over time – At first responded to narrow economic questions such as property, capital and labor and interstate commerce – During the mid 20 th century the Court changed in 2 ways 1930s- The Court looked at the position of the federal government in regards to states and decided when the authority of the two are in conflict the federal government would prevail 1950s-The Court moved to more social issues such as economic discrimination, apportionment, welfare, abortion, civil liberties, and environmental protection

Bureaucracy Bureaucracy- units of government that make and implement public policies A policy making structure that has evolved over time Bureaucrats are civil servants-hired by merit and not political appointment Different sizes of bureaucracies- Dept. of Defense, Dept. Veteran Affairs, Dept. of Education, and Interstate Commerce Commission Initially designed as policy executors now they have policy making abilities

Voting Public Initiative-permits the public to formulate policy by adopting measures that citizens place on the ballot – Popular in western states – Requirements vary by states (# of signatures) – Touches on all sorts of policy areas from abortion to legalization of marijuana – Can be declared unconstitutional

Policy Making Actors: Society’s Powers Brokers Now decision makers have direct contact with those affected by policies Decisions are left up to leadership- not practical for the people to make every decision The system is one of interdependence and joint decision making-one isn’t more important that the others