The art of policymaking chapter 6

The steps of the policy cycle

1. Problem definition and agenda setting 2. Formulation of alternatives 3. Policy adoption 4. Policy implementation 5. Policy evaluation 6. Policy termination (If needed )

Interest groups

A body of people acting in an organized manner to advance shared political ideas

What happens once a policy is decided on

A choice must be made on how it will be implemented

Coalition (alliances)

A group of individuals or organizations working together in a common effort toward a common goal to make more effective and efficient use of resources

Problem

A significant gap between the way things are and the way things need to be

Policy implementation

After the best solutions for the problem are agreed upon, the needs, resources, and wants of the implementing agency and intended clients is based off policy modifications

When should public policy's be evaluated

After they have been implemented using the best available research methods

What is the main research department of the USDA

Agriculture research services

Policies

Are the guides to address the problem

Who makes policy

Authorities who make policy may be executives, administrators, or committees of an organization or company, elected officials, officers, members of congress or state legislature and street level bureaucrats

How do they accomplish defining the issue by each legislative branch

By winning support for the issue among political scientists known as the "iron triangles" because they have a lot o control over the policymaking process

What are the three priority areas of the academy

Disease prevention and treatment Life cycle nutrition Quality health care

Who defines the institutional agenda

Each part is defined by legislative body of government

Policy adoption

In this step (3) tools or instruments for dealing with problems are chosen

Networks

Individuals or organizations who share information, ideas, resources, or goals to accomplish group or individual goals

Street level bureaucrats

Individuals within government who have direct contact with citizens

The issue must get on the ________ after eating the plods makers attention

Institutional agenda

What are the three parts of policymaking formulation discussion who bring the isolation ideas forward to the policy makers

Interest groups Coalition (alliances) Networks

Agenda setting

It is not a written document It is a process in which concerned people come together about an issue bringing it to the attention of the general public and policy makers

What happens once a law is passed

It is up to administrative bodies such as the USDA to interpret the law and provide detailed regulations or rules that put the policy into affect

Which government branches formulate policy

Legislative, executive and judicial

What makes up an iron triangle

Made of three powerful participants: interest groups, congressional committee or subcommittee and administrative agencies

Are iron triangle groups formal

No just made up of people with string and similar interests

Lobbying

Often the method of choice when choosing a political system. Lobbying provides information to elected officials

What happens once a problem is defined

Once a problem is defined and gains attention it is placed in a policy agenda

Role of agriculture research services

Oversee research related to nutrition needs throughout the life cycle, food trends, diet composition, nutrient interaction, and nutrient bioavailability

Political action committees (PAC)

Political arm of an interest group that has legal authority to raise funds from its members or employees to support candidates or political parties. The purpose of pac is to help elect candidates whose views are favorable and align with the mission or goal. Ads also work to keep lines of communication open between policy makers and interest groups

Entitlement

Programs that require payments of benefits to all eligible people as establish by the law

USDA mission

Provide leadership on food, agriculture, natural resources, and related issues. They aim to enhance the quality of life for all

What are examples of policy tools

Regulations, cash grants, loans, tax breaks, certifications, fines, price control.

How issues are placed on the policy agenda

The first step is to build widespread interest of the problem. Most effective way is through the media.

Problem definition and agenda setting

The first step is to convince the public that there is a problem in order to be able to address it

Institutional agenda

The issues that are the subject of the policy

Policymaking

The process by which authorities decide by which actions to take to address a problem or set of problems

Implementation

The process of putting policy into action

Policy termination can happen for several reasons:

The public need was meet, the nature of the problem has changed, government no longer has mandate in this area, policy has lost support, policy was too costly

Policy evaluation

The purpose is to determine if a program is achieving its stated goals, reaching its intended audience, what the program is actually accomplishing , and who is benefiting from it

Formulation of alternative

The second step of the policymaking process in which possible solutions to the problem are created and this is the most creative phase of the policy making process

Policy agenda

The set of problems to which policy makers give their attention

Power players

These community nutritionists are in the know. They understand the political system, they know the key players, and they use the system to improve community health

Fence sitters

These community nutritionists sit on the fence and seldom get involved. They watch the policymaking process from the sidelines. They can be motivated for a specific issue

Critics

These people are not happy with the status quo but they are not willing to change. They are a hard group to motivate

Willing workers

These people are willing to do something. Just ask for their help and give them a specific task

Banner carriers

These people feel strongly about an issue but they prefer to talk about it rather than take action. Get them involved in the planning stages where their opinion is valuable

What is a law

They are passed by congress and a law defines the broad scope of policy intended by Congress

What are the roles of states in policy adoption

They are the basic unit of delivery of public health services and health policy implementation They determine firm and function of local health agencies, select appropriate personnel, identify local health problems, and guarantee minimal health services

Party people

They have a strong party alliance. They know elected officials and community leaders. They help move issues and legislation forward

Markup session

This is when the bill is revised by a congressional committee session during which a bill is put into its final form before being reported out of committee

What is the purpose of a public forum

To let the general public express their opinions about solutions and come up with potential costs and benefits and the "best" course of action

What is the mission of DHHS

To protect the health of all Americans and provide essential Human Resources especially for those who can't help themselves

What are two important departments at the federal level

USDA and DHHS

Policymaking formulation

When possible solutions are discussed at the grassroots level

Do all levels of government pass laws

Yes