POLICYMAKING Public Policy- a general plan of action adopted by a government to SOLVE a Problem, counter a threat, or pursue an objective

Stages of Policymaking 1. Agenda Setting 2. Policy Formulation 3. Implementation 4. Policy Evaluation

Who sets the Agenda??? a. The President b. Congress c. Regulatory Agencies d. The Courts e. Interest groups and Media

Who Formulates the Policy? Who is creating the laws/policy? a. The President b. Congress c. Regulatory Agencies d. The Courts

Then vs. NOW Iron Trianglesvs. Issue Networks Committee Chairmen Members of Congress Committee Staffers Agency Officials Lawyers Lobbyists Scholars Top A fewConsultants Agency LobbyistsPresident Officials

POLICY EXPERTS today The Revolving Door Policy Experts usually remain within a particular issue network Congressmen who were on specific committees then go on to be lobbyists of a particular issue Committee on Education---might lead to a lobbyist for NEA There is a substantial FINANCIAL INCENTIVE to leave government work

Issue Networks and Democracy Pro’sCon’s *Technical Expertise*dependence on technical expertise is advantageous to interest groups *Promotes Pluralism not Majoritarianism *well organized interest groups prevail over the broad national interest

Implementation The Process by which policies are carried out

Why do we see so many problems with Implementation? DISCRETION given to state and local authorities Implementation involves a lot of BARGAINING and NEGOTIATING No one wants to take the BLAME if the policy fails

Why do we see so many problems with Implementation? Biggest problem is COORDINATION! Fragmentation often leads to little coordination between national gov’t and states Multiple centers of Power- 3 branches and different levels of government

Policy Evaluation Is the Policy Working??? Evaluation Studies are used To make policy work you need *Broad Policy *A strong President *Reorganization within a single agency if needed *a Single Regulatory Policy *Non Profit Sectors

TYPES of POLICIES Distributive when a law benefits a segment of society— Riders on Bills Redistributive-when a law takes money from one segment of society and gives to another segment—welfare Regulation-- Drinking age 21 due to highway funding $

Public Policy Tools Incentives—give to the goodwill and get a tax cut Disincentives—don’t drive drunk or get massive fines and jail time Set Rules– Pilots can only fly so many hours

Approaches to Solving Problems No longer in the text but a TEST question Prohibit Behaviors- increased airport security Promote activities- farmers and what they grow Promote social activities- service to your country Provide benefits directly to citizens- unemployment compensation