Exam Prep Understanding Public Policymaking Ch3 - Public Policy 7th Edition Test Bank by Michael E. Kraft. DOCX document preview.
Test Bank
Chapter 3: Understanding Public Policymaking
Multiple Choice
1. ______ refers to the occasion when the public is aware of and discussing an issue even though politicians may not be discussing the issue.
a. Institutional agenda
b. Systemic agenda
c. Political agenda
d. Government agenda
Learning Objective: 3-2: Discuss the policy process model, from the steps associated with making public policy to the role of policy analysis in the design and formulation of policy actions and the evaluation of policies.
Cognitive Domain: Comprehension
Answer Location: Problem Definition and Agenda Setting
Difficulty Level: Easy
2. A ______ policy collects revenues from one group and spends it on services for a different group.
a. redistributive
b. market-based incentive
c. regulatory
d. salient
Learning Objective: 3-3: Assess different types of public policy and how their characteristics affect their development and treatment in the policy process.
Cognitive Domain: Knowledge
Answer Location: Policy Typologies
Difficulty Level: Easy
3. Legitimation is the stage of policymaking in which ______.
a. proposals are developed for actions that could be taken to resolve a problem
b. programs are implemented and funds expended
c. legal force is given to a policy proposal and the public accepts the policy
d. problem definitions are analyzed to determine their legitimacy
Learning Objective: 3-2: Discuss the policy process model, from the steps associated with making public policy to the role of policy analysis in the design and formulation of policy actions and the evaluation of policies.
Cognitive Domain: Application
Answer Location: Policy Legitimation
Difficulty Level: Easy
4. A regulation is ______.
a. the government levying taxes on certain goods
b. use of the budget process to encourage or discourage behavior
c. the government providing information, so citizens can make their own choices
d. the rule that governs the operation of a particular government program
Learning Objective: 3-2: Discuss the policy process model, from the steps associated with making public policy to the role of policy analysis in the design and formulation of policy actions and the evaluation of policies.
Cognitive Domain: Knowledge
Answer Location: Policy Implementation
Difficulty Level: Easy
5. Market mechanisms as tools or instruments of policy are defined as ______.
a. those that rely upon the laws of supply and demand
b. regulating how transactions are conducted in the market
c. using forms of persuasion and education
d. government management of individuals or corporations
Learning Objective: 3-4: Define the types of government functions and evaluate basic differences among policies and the political conditions that lead to them.
Cognitive Domain: Knowledge
Answer Location: Market Mechanisms
Difficulty Level: Easy
6. The ______ refers to what might be done about the problem.
a. systemic force
b. policy stream
c. underlying condition
d. political system theory
Learning Objective: 3-2: Discuss the policy process model, from the steps associated with making public policy to the role of policy analysis in the design and formulation of policy actions and the evaluation of policies.
Cognitive Domain: Comprehension
Answer Location: Problem Definition and Agenda Setting
Difficulty Level: Easy
7. The ______ theory of policymaking emphasizes the formal and legal parts of governmental structure.
a. elite
b. group
c. institutional
d. rational choice
Learning Objective: 3-1: Describe different theories of public policy and how they help to explain the decisions made.
Cognitive Domain: Comprehension
Answer Location: Institutional Theory
Difficulty Level: Easy
8. The ______ theory of policymaking draws heavily on economics to explain the actions of voters and also of elected officials as attempts to maximize self-interest.
a. elite
b. group
c. institutional
d. rational choice
Learning Objective: 3-1: Describe different theories of public policy and how they help to explain the decisions made.
Cognitive Domain: Comprehension
Answer Location: Rational Choice Theory
Difficulty Level: Easy
9. Political systems theory explains policymaking as a process of ______.
a. interaction among the government institutions and the larger social, economic, and cultural context in which they operate
b. moving from the stage of agenda setting to policy formulation to implementation
c. rational decisions made by individuals
d. interactions among political leaders
Learning Objective: 3-1: Describe different theories of public policy and how they help to explain the decisions made.
Cognitive Domain: Comprehension
Answer Location: Political Systems Theory
Difficulty Level: Easy
10. The policy instrument of ______ refers to government attempts to convey important information to citizens in order to influence their behavior.
a. analysis
b. formulation
c. education
d. privatization
Learning Objective: 3-4: Define the types of government functions and evaluate basic differences among policies and the political conditions that lead to them.
Cognitive Domain: Comprehension
Answer Location: Education, Information, and Persuasion
Difficulty Level: Easy
11. During the ______ stage of policymaking, legislators rely on policy analysts to develop and study possible policy alternatives for them to consider.
a. legitimation
b. agenda-setting
c. policy formulation
d. program evaluation
Learning Objective: 3-2: Discuss the policy process model, from the steps associated with making public policy to the role of policy analysis in the design and formulation of policy actions and the evaluation of policies.
Cognitive Domain: Comprehension
Answer Location: Policy Formulation
Difficulty Level: Easy
12. The ______ theory of policymaking empathizes how the values and preferences of smaller unrepresentative groups of people shape public policy.
a. political
b. economic
c. rational
d. elite
Learning Objective: 3-1: Describe different theories of public policy and how they help to explain the decisions made.
Cognitive Domain: Comprehension
Answer Location: Elite Theory
Difficulty Level: Easy
13. Which of the following best describes the sequence of the policymaking process presented by the Kraft/Furlong policy process model?
a. policy formulation, policy evaluation, agenda setting, policy implementation
b. agenda setting, policy formulation, policy implementation, policy evaluation
c. policy evaluation, policy implementation, policy formulation, agenda setting
d. policy implementation, policy formulation, policy evaluation, agenda setting
Learning Objective: 3-2: Discuss the policy process model, from the steps associated with making public policy to the role of policy analysis in the design and formulation of policy actions and the evaluation of policies.
Cognitive Domain: Application
Answer Location: The Policy Process Model
Difficulty Level: Easy
14. The policymaking stage during which money is spent, regulations are adopted, and the policy is carried out is called ______.
a. policy evaluation
b. agenda setting
c. policy implementation
d. policy formulation
Learning Objective: 3-2: Discuss the policy process model, from the steps associated with making public policy to the role of policy analysis in the design and formulation of policy actions and the evaluation of policies.
Cognitive Domain: Comprehension
Answer Location: Policy Implementation
Difficulty Level: Easy
15. The policymaking stage that is considered to be the most critical is ______.
a. policy implementation
b. policy evaluation
c. policy formulation
d. agenda setting
Learning Objective: 3-2: Discuss the policy process model, from the steps associated with making public policy to the role of policy analysis in the design and formulation of policy actions and the evaluation of policies.
Cognitive Domain: Comprehension
Answer Location: Problem Definition and Agenda Setting
Difficulty Level: Easy
16. The policymaking stage during which new issues are identified as problems for government to address is called ______.
a. policy formulation
b. policy implementation
c. policy evaluation
d. agenda setting
Learning Objective: 3-2: Discuss the policy process model, from the steps associated with making public policy to the role of policy analysis in the design and formulation of policy actions and the evaluation of policies.
Cognitive Domain: Comprehension
Answer Location: Problem Definition and Agenda Setting
Difficulty Level: Easy
17. Which of the following combinations of saliency and conflict provide the greatest opportunity for an issue to be placed on the government’s agenda?
a. low saliency, low conflict
b. high saliency, high conflict
c. low saliency, high conflict
d. high saliency, low conflict
Learning Objective: 3-2: Discuss the policy process model, from the steps associated with making public policy to the role of policy analysis in the design and formulation of policy actions and the evaluation of policies.
Cognitive Domain: Application
Answer Location: Problem Definition and Agenda Setting
Difficulty Level: Easy
18. Which statement describes the importance of theories in helping us to understand policymaking?
a. Theories help us understand why certain policies are adopted.
b. Theories describe relationships between political actors.
c. Development of theories helps to engage citizens in policymaking.
d. Theories must be developed before effective policymaking can occur.
Learning Objective: 3-1: Describe different theories of public policy and how they help to explain the decisions made.
Cognitive Domain: Application
Answer Location: Theories of Politics and Public Policy
Difficulty Level: Medium
19. The primary assumption of elite theory is that in shaping public policy, ______.
a. the public plays a central role through feedback processes
b. the values and preferences of the general public are less influential than those of a small group of experts or leaders
c. elites, such as interest groups and the public, are most influential
d. at the early stages of policymaking, the public plays a stronger role, while elites decide on policy
Learning Objective: 3-1: Describe different theories of public policy and how they help to explain the decisions made.
Cognitive Domain: Comprehension
Answer Location: Elite Theory
Difficulty Level: Easy
20. When the government encourages you to buy a home and allows you to take a deduction for the mortgage interest, it is using this form of government action ______.
a. taxing and spending
b. regulating
c. educating
d. charging fees
Learning Objective: 3-4: Define the types of government functions and evaluate basic differences among policies and the political conditions that lead to them.
Cognitive Domain: Application
Answer Location: Taxing and Spending
Difficulty Level: Medium
21. Policy analysis is used most heavily during which stages of the policymaking process?
a. agenda setting, policy formulation, and policy evaluation
b. problem analysis and capacity development
c. capacity development and legitimation
d. policy evaluation and regulation development
Learning Objective: 3-2: Discuss the policy process model, from the steps associated with making public policy to the role of policy analysis in the design and formulation of policy actions and the evaluation of policies.
Cognitive Domain: Application
Answer Location: The Policy Process Model
Difficulty Level: Easy
22. ______ are tools that policy makers have available to use during the policymaking process.
a. Policy typologies
b. Policy evaluations
c. Policy processes
d. Policy instruments
Learning Objective: 3-4: Define the types of government functions and evaluate basic differences among policies and the political conditions that lead to them.
Cognitive Domain: Comprehension
Answer Location: Instruments of Public Policy
Difficulty Level: Easy
23. ______ portrays public policy as the product of a continuous struggle among organized interest groups.
a. Group theory
b. Rational choice theory
c. Institutional theory
d. Elite theory
Learning Objective: 3-1: Describe different theories of public policy and how they help to explain the decisions made.
Cognitive Domain: Comprehension
Answer Location: Group Theory
Difficulty Level: Easy
24. An example of ______ is farmers, agricultural equipment makers, and bureaucrats at the U.S. Department of Agriculture working together to promote particular policies.
a. an elite organization
b. an advocacy coalition framework
c. the policy cycle
d. an institutional agenda
Learning Objective: 3-1: Describe different theories of public policy and how they help to explain the decisions made.
Cognitive Domain: Application
Answer Location: Group Theory
Difficulty Level: Easy
25. College research grants, weapons procurement, agricultural subsidies, and highways and bridges are examples of ______ policies.
a. distributive
b. redistributive
c. buoyancy
d. regulations
Learning Objective: 3-3: Assess different types of public policy and how their characteristics affect their development and treatment in the policy process.
Cognitive Domain: Application
Answer Location: Policy Typologies
Difficulty Level: Easy
26. The authority of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to issue radio and television broadcasting licenses is an example of a ______ policy.
a. salient
b. redistributive
c. distributive
d. regulatory
Learning Objective: 3-3: Assess different types of public policy and how their characteristics affect their development and treatment in the policy process.
Cognitive Domain: Application
Answer Location: Policy Typologies
Difficulty Level: Hard
27. The Occupational Health and Safety Administration spells out the kinds of things that business and industry must do to protect workers. This is an example of what type of policy?
a. competitive regulation
b. rational choice
c. protective regulation
d. market mechanisms
Learning Objective: 3-3: Assess different types of public policy and how their characteristics affect their development and treatment in the policy process.
Cognitive Domain: Application
Answer Location: Policy Typologies
Difficulty Level: Hard
28. These types of policies have “winners” and “losers.” In other words, some groups benefit at the expense of others.
a. salient
b. redistributive
c. distributive
d. competitive regulatory
Learning Objective: 3-3: Assess different types of public policy and how their characteristics affect their development and treatment in the policy process.
Cognitive Domain: Comprehension
Answer Location: Policy Typologies
Difficulty Level: Easy
29. Which of the following policymaking theories might include consideration of the role of prominent and outspoken celebrities such as U2’s Bono, Bill Gates, and Oprah?
a. elite theory
b. group theory
c. executive theory
d. rational choice theory
Learning Objective: 3-1: Describe different theories of public policy and how they help to explain the decisions made.
Cognitive Domain: Application
Answer Location: Elite Theory
Difficulty Level: Easy
30. ______ is the policymaking theory that posits that policymaking occurs in a pluralistic way through a dynamic struggle among a variety of policy actors, interest groups, government officials, and the public.
a. Institutional theory
b. Rational choice theory
c. Group theory
d. Pluralistic theory
Learning Objective: 3-1: Describe different theories of public policy and how they help to explain the decisions made.
Cognitive Domain: Comprehension
Answer Location: Group Theory
Difficulty Level: Easy
31. During the later years of the Obama administration, the Democratic Party controlled the presidency and Senate, while the Republican Party controlled the House of Representatives. As a result, gridlock occurred, and it was difficult for the policymaking process to enact policies to address important issues of the day such as immigration, gun control, or environmental legislation. Which policymaking theory might attribute this failure to the formal way our government is structured and the procedures for how bills become law?
a. group theory
b. elite theory
c. institutional theory
d. rational choice theory
Learning Objective: 3-1: Describe different theories of public policy and how they help to explain the decisions made.
Cognitive Domain: Application
Answer Location: Institutional Theory
Difficulty Level: Hard
32. The Census Bureau projects that the U.S. population (about 325 million in 2016) is likely to rise to nearly ______ million by 2050.
a. 100
b. 200
c. 300
d. 390
Learning Objective: 3-2: Discuss the policy process model, from the steps associated with making public policy to the role of policy analysis in the design and formulation of policy actions and the evaluation of policies.
Cognitive Domain: Knowledge
Answer Location: Problem Definition and Agenda Setting
Difficulty Level: Easy
33. ______ branch agencies implement most public policies within the United States.
a. Legislative
b. Judicial
c. Executive
d. Local
Learning Objective: 3-2: Discuss the policy process model, from the steps associated with making public policy to the role of policy analysis in the design and formulation of policy actions and the evaluation of policies.
Cognitive Domain: Knowledge
Answer Location: Policy Implementation
Difficulty Level: Easy
34. Welfare is an example of a ______.
a. regulatory policy
b. redistributive policy
c. distributive policy
d. pork barrel project
Learning Objective: 3-3: Assess different types of public policy and how their characteristics affect their development and treatment in the policy process.
Cognitive Domain: Comprehension
Answer Location: Policy Typologies
Difficulty Level: Easy
Short Answer
1. Explain agenda setting.
Learning Objective: 3-2: Discuss the policy process model, from the steps associated with making public policy to the role of policy analysis in the design and formulation of policy actions and the evaluation of policies.
Cognitive Domain: Comprehension
Answer Location: Problem Definition and Agenda Setting
Difficulty Level: Easy
2. Why is policy analysis utilized during the policy formulation stage?
Learning Objective: 3-2: Discuss the policy process model, from the steps associated with making public policy to the role of policy analysis in the design and formulation of policy actions and the evaluation of policies.
Cognitive Domain: Comprehension
Answer Location: Policy Formulation
Difficulty Level: Easy
3. What takes place during the policy legitimation stage?
Learning Objective: 3-2: Discuss the policy process model, from the steps associated with making public policy to the role of policy analysis in the design and formulation of policy actions and the evaluation of policies.
Cognitive Domain: Comprehension
Answer Location: Policy Legitimation
Difficulty Level: Easy
4. What can hinder the implementation of a policy?
Learning Objective: 3-2: Discuss the policy process model, from the steps associated with making public policy to the role of policy analysis in the design and formulation of policy actions and the evaluation of policies.
Cognitive Domain: Comprehension
Answer Location: Policy Implementation
Difficulty Level: Easy
5. Why is policy and program evaluation important?
Learning Objective: 3-2: Discuss the policy process model, from the steps associated with making public policy to the role of policy analysis in the design and formulation of policy actions and the evaluation of policies.
Cognitive Domain: Comprehension
Answer Location: Policy Evaluation
Difficulty Level: Easy
6. Why is the policymaking process cyclical?
Learning Objective: 3-2: Discuss the policy process model, from the steps associated with making public policy to the role of policy analysis in the design and formulation of policy actions and the evaluation of policies.
Cognitive Domain: Comprehension
Answer Location: Policy Change
Difficulty Level: Easy
7. Identify and discuss Kingdon’s three streams that flow through society.
Learning Objective: 3-2: Discuss the policy process model, from the steps associated with making public policy to the role of policy analysis in the design and formulation of policy actions and the evaluation of policies.
Cognitive Domain: Comprehension
Answer Location: Problem Definition and Agenda Setting
Difficulty Level: Easy
8. What is a focusing event?
Learning Objective: 3-2: Discuss the policy process model, from the steps associated with making public policy to the role of policy analysis in the design and formulation of policy actions and the evaluation of policies.
Cognitive Domain: Comprehension
Answer Location: Problem Definition and Agenda Setting
Difficulty Level: Easy
9. Provide an example of each of the policy typologies.
Learning Objective: 3-3: Assess different types of public policy and how their characteristics affect their development and treatment in the policy process.
Cognitive Domain: Application
Answer Location: Policy Typologies
Difficulty Level: Hard
10. What is a policy instrument and why are they important?
Learning Objective: 3-4: Define the types of government functions and evaluate basic differences among policies and the political conditions that lead to them.
Cognitive Domain: Comprehension
Answer Location: Instruments of Public Policy
Difficulty Level: Easy
11. Identify some of the barriers to policy legitimation.
Learning Objective: 3-2: Discuss the policy process model, from the steps associated with making public policy to the role of policy analysis in the design and formulation of policy actions and the evaluation of policies.
Cognitive Domain: Comprehension
Answer Location: Policy Legitimation
Difficulty Level: Easy
12. Explain both the simple and complex views of policy legitimation.
Learning Objective: 3-2: Discuss the policy process model, from the steps associated with making public policy to the role of policy analysis in the design and formulation of policy actions and the evaluation of policies.
Cognitive Domain: Comprehension
Answer Location: Policy Legitimation
Difficulty Level: Easy
13. Identify the best known policy instrument.
Learning Objective: 3-4: Define the types of government functions and evaluate basic differences among policies and the political conditions that lead to them.
Cognitive Domain: Comprehension
Answer Location: Policy Instruments
Difficulty Level: Easy
14. Why is providing information to the public also referred to as a capacity-building tool?
Learning Objective: 3-4: Define the types of government functions and evaluate basic differences among policies and the political conditions that lead to them.
Cognitive Domain: Comprehension
Answer Location: Education, Information, and Persuasion
Difficulty Level: Easy
15. What is pork barrel spending?
Learning Objective: 3-3: Assess different types of public policy and how their characteristics affect their development and treatment in the policy process.
Cognitive Domain: Comprehension
Answer Location: Policy Typologies
Difficulty Level: Easy
16. Explain the advocacy coalition framework (ACF).
Learning Objective: 3-1: Describe different theories of public policy and how they help to explain the decisions made.
Cognitive Domain: Comprehension
Answer Location: Group Theory
Difficulty Level: Easy
17. Who is involved in policy formulation?
Learning Objective: 3-2: Discuss the policy process model, from the steps associated with making public policy to the role of policy analysis in the design and formulation of policy actions and the evaluation of policies.
Cognitive Domain: Comprehension
Answer Location: Policy Formulation
Difficulty Level: Easy
Essay
1. List the six basic stages of the policy development process, in order.
Learning Objective: 3-2: Discuss the policy process model, from the steps associated with making public policy to the role of policy analysis in the design and formulation of policy actions and the evaluation of policies.
Cognitive Domain: Knowledge
Answer Location: The Policy Process Model
Difficulty Level: Easy
2. Discuss how elite theory is applied to development of policy. Include in your discussion a definition of who/what are elite(s), why elites vary according to policy issue, and how elites influence policy.
Learning Objective: 3-1: Describe different theories of public policy and how they help to explain the decisions made.
Cognitive Domain: Comprehension
Answer Location: Elite Theory
Difficulty Level: Medium
3. Discuss the purpose of having theories or models of policymaking. How does having a theory or model help policy makers? Give an example.
Learning Objective: 3-1: Describe different theories of public policy and how they help to explain the decisions made.
Cognitive Domain: Application
Answer Location: Theories of Politics and Public Policy
Difficulty Level: Medium
4. How do the saliency and conflict associated with an issue affect how or if it gets on the government’s agenda? Explain your answer.
Learning Objective: 3-2: Discuss the policy process model, from the steps associated with making public policy to the role of policy analysis in the design and formulation of policy actions and the evaluation of policies.
Cognitive Domain: Analysis
Answer Location: Problem Definition and Agenda Setting
Difficulty Level: Hard
5. Discuss why the problem-definition stage of the policy process is so influential on the making of public policy.
Learning Objective: 3-2: Discuss the policy process model, from the steps associated with making public policy to the role of policy analysis in the design and formulation of policy actions and the evaluation of policies.
Cognitive Domain: Comprehension
Answer Location: Problem Definition and Agenda Setting
Difficulty Level: Medium
6. Discuss the difference between a systemic agenda and an institutional agenda and give an example of an issue that exemplifies each.
Learning Objective: 3-2: Discuss the policy process model, from the steps associated with making public policy to the role of policy analysis in the design and formulation of policy actions and the evaluation of policies.
Cognitive Domain: Application
Answer Location: Problem Definition and Agenda Setting
Difficulty Level: Medium
7. Explain the policy process model presented by Kraft and Furlong. What does it show? Describe what takes place during each stage.
Learning Objective: 3-2: Discuss the policy process model, from the steps associated with making public policy to the role of policy analysis in the design and formulation of policy actions and the evaluation of policies.
Cognitive Domain: Comprehension
Answer Location: The Policy Process Model
Difficulty Level: Medium
8. Discuss the problem-definition and agenda-setting stages of policymaking. What are the factors that shape how a problem may be defined? Discuss an example of a public problem that has been framed in varying ways by opposing groups. Second, the authors state, “the mere existence of a problem is no guarantee that it will attract government attention.” What facilitates the movement of certain issues onto the agenda?
Learning Objective: 3-2: Discuss the policy process model, from the steps associated with making public policy to the role of policy analysis in the design and formulation of policy actions and the evaluation of policies.
Cognitive Domain: Analysis
Answer Location: Problem Definition and Agenda Setting
Difficulty Level: Hard
9. Explain the main premise of each of the following policymaking theories and give an example that illustrates policymaking from that particular theory’s perspective.
Learning Objective: 3-1: Describe different theories of public policy and how they help to explain the decisions made.
Cognitive Domain: Comprehension
Answer Location: Theories of Politics and Public Policy
Difficulty Level: Medium