1. Public Policy #1 The Policy Process

2. Policy Policy – any broad course of govt action on anything EX: Rewriting gun policy to include an increased waiting period for most handguns Who would support? Oppose? What role would the media play? How might the public respond?

3. Policy Process 1.Identify problem What is the number one problem facing America today ?

4. stupid ! It’s the economy, stupid ! Currently we are in an economic downturn. Many politicians are debating the best way to solve this problem. If you were in Congress or the president, what would you suggest we do?

5. –Cut taxes on individuals –Spend more –Cut taxes on businesses –Ensure that no one loses a home due to foreclosure –Regulate banks better so that they cannot give out bad loans –Other

6. 2. Agenda Setting : what’s important? Issue Attention Cycle Who does this? IG, PP, Media 3. Formulate Policy Who does this? Cong, Pres Easier to make small changes than large policy ones Policy Making Process Continued ….

7. 4. Implement Policy Who does this? Bureaucracy 5.Evaluate Policy **Obstacles to policy making: –Political, Financial, etc.

8. What is the problem with public education? List problems Which ones get attention from media, politicians, and/or interest groups? Who can / should solve these problems? Why don’t these problems get fixed? Are any problems “unsolvable”?

9. Public Policy #2 Economic Policy

10. Economic Policy – relationship between government & economy Laissez-faire / Free Market / Capitalism: Owners make all economic decisions – what to produce, how much, etc.

11. “Invisible hand” of competition regulates the economy (Adam Smith) –Businesses with a good product at low prices will stay in business Wal-mart

12. Prices (including labor) are determined by supply and demand –What are people willing to pay for a particular product? Bottle of Pepsi VS. diamond ring Tennis shoes VS. Air Jordan's Janitor's wages VS. doctor’s wages

13. Supply & Demand If shortage (high demand / low supply) – price goes up –Concert tickets If surplus (low demand / high supply) – price goes down –Beanie babies

14. No laws regulating business: –No min wage –No max hours –No health / safety protections

15. Controlled Economy Communism The govt makes all the economic decisions including what to produce, prices, wages, etc –Not determined by what sells, but what is best according to the gov Individuals are taxed heavily and gov uses money as it sees fit

16. How this looks… Soviet Union used resources on building military not consumer products – cars or food

17. Mixed Market A free market w/some government regulation –EX: wages are determined by owners but there is a minimum wage all owners must pay –EX: products are determined by owners but must meet safety / health requirements Current US economic system

18. How Gov Regulates Economy Subsidy: any government aid given to encourage something –Grant / loan College –Tax break Govt Regulation: –Quality Reg: FDA

19. Gov Regulation Production Reg : Environmental laws –Ex: Clean Air Act: mandated that air is clean, EPA can fine if not meeting minimum standards Labor Reg : Max hours, minimum wage, safety, etc.

20. Compare & Contrast Answer the following for Controlled Market, Free Market, and Mixed Market Economies Who profits from this system? Who gets hurt in this system? What is one advantage of this system? What is one disadvantage of this system?