Week 4

Multiple Streams Model of Agenda-Setting: Policy Stream

-"Policy communities" are groups that focus on supporting specific issues--> similar to issue networks -Slowly over time, they develop these proposals that seem to technically and politically feasible -Pushing Solutions (sometimes formulation occurs before a problem is identifies)

Multiple Streams Model of Agenda-Setting: Politics Stream

-Mainly about who is in office (elected or appointed officials) -Different priorities or interests are entirely subjective -Formal Actors include: chairs on committees on assignment or party leadership or agencies that implement laws)

What makes the Multiple Streams Model of Agenda Setting different from the Stage Model?

-Not like Stage Model in the sense that it is not linear --> focuses on the Agenda-Setting and Policy Formulation aspects but rather 3 variables working independently

Agenda-Setting Process

-The President and Congress may disagree on what issues to put on the agenda --> President has enough power to put something on the agenda -Identifying what may be an issue is subjective

Why do issues compete for agenda space?

-There are only a few things the public can focus on at one time -limited cognitive resources -limited institutional capacity

Problems with the Stages Model

-This isn't always a linear process -Could exclude some steps like evaluation or it could go out of order

What is the Process of the Stages Model

1. Agenda Setting 2. Policy Formation 3. Policy Legitimation 4. Policy Implementation -First Three Stages are the policymaking process

What are the variables of Multiple Streams Model of Agenda-Setting?

1. Problem Stream 2. Policy Stream 3. Politics Stream

The "policy stream" captures the process by which... A. ...policies are formulated. B. ...policies are implemented. C. ...policies are evaluated. D. ...policies are legitimated (i.e., adopted).

A. ...policies are formulated.

Which of the following actions are taking place during the "policy implementation" stage of the policymaking process? A. Firefighters respond to a fire alarm according to rules established by their superiors. B. Members of Congress vote to let young adults stay on their parents' insurance plans until the age of 26. C. A police officer arrests a robbery suspect because robbery is illegal.

A. Firefighters respond to a fire alarm according to rules established by their superiors. C. A police officer arrests a robbery suspect because robbery is illegal.

Why must problems "compete for agenda space"? A. There are only so many public problems that people can pay attention to at once (i.e., we have limited cognitive capacity). B. They don't compete for agenda space. C. Government has the capacity to address only so many public problems at a time (i.e., we have limited institutional capacity). D. U.S. government has established a competitive system that requires problems to "compete" to determine which one is the most important.

A. There are only so many public problems that people can pay attention to at once (i.e., we have limited cognitive capacity). C. Government has the capacity to address only so many public problems at a time (i.e., we have limited institutional capacity).

According to the "multiple streams" model, which statements about "windows of opportunity" are true? A. Windows of opportunity often open by random chance, as opposed to because the public problem is the most important. B. It can be difficult to predict when there will be a window of opportunity. C. There is a window of opportunity to get a policy on the decision agenda when there is a general perception that there is a public problem; when there are viable options for addressing the problem; and when those in power wish to address that problem.

A. Windows of opportunity often open by random chance, as opposed to because the public problem is the most important. B. It can be difficult to predict when there will be a window of opportunity. C. There is a window of opportunity to get a policy on the decision agenda when there is a general perception that there is a public problem; when there are viable options for addressing the problem; and when those in power wish to address that problem.

What is the problem with using models and why do we use them?

All models are wrong but are meant to be useful (simplifies reality) For example, Public Preference--> Government Institutions--> Public Policy (however government institutions can affect public preference)

Which of the following are examples of policy legitimation? A. Congress passes a resolution declaring war on another country. B. Justices of the Supreme Court rule that the federal government cannot require states to expand health insurance for the poor. C. The mayor of a small town requires those accused of speeding violations to pay a certain fine, even if they claim innocence. D. The President sets a minimum wage for employees of private companies that complete work for the federal government. E. A school board adopts a system in which teacher quality is determined by the test scores of their students. F. The U.S. Department of Justice requires a local police department to improve its relationship with local residents.

All of the Above

Which of the following statements are true about the "politics of problem definition"? A. It is the formal process by which policymakers vote on what we consider to be a problem. B. By framing a problem a certain way, we can limit the policy options we consider to address it. C. It is a rational process in that we prioritize problems according to the risk they pose to our well-being. D. It is part of the process by which we set the policymaking agenda.

B. By framing a problem a certain way, we can limit the policy options we consider to address it. D. It is part of the process by which we set the policymaking agenda.

Which of the following statements are true regarding the "social construction" of public problems? A. People create public problems if they are too social. B. People might agree that a societal condition is a problem, but it's a matter of perception whether that problem is one that government should address (i.e., a public problem). C. Whether or not a societal condition is a problem is a matter of perception, as opposed to objective fact. D. Everyone must agree that an objective condition is a problem in order for government to consider it a public problem worth addressing.

B. People might agree that a societal condition is a problem, but it's a matter of perception whether that problem is one that government should address (i.e., a public problem). C. Whether or not a societal condition is a problem is a matter of perception, as opposed to objective fact.

What is a public program? A. A television series available to the public at no cost. B. The process by which a public policy is implemented or administered C. How policy is communicated via the media D. A list of instructions for accomplishing a task

B. The process by which a public policy is implemented or administered

How are crises or focusing events important to policymaking? A. They represent the very worst consequences of public policy. B. They draw attention to public issues or problems that policymakers might address. C. They make us focus on the most important problems. D. They can lead policymakers to focus on what is newsworthy, as opposed to what is important.

B. They draw attention to public issues or problems that policymakers might address. D. They can lead policymakers to focus on what is newsworthy, as opposed to what is important.

According to Kingdon's model of agenda-setting, policy communities and issue networks... A. ...are irrelevant to policy formulation. B. ...primarily operate in the politics stream. C. ...have no regard for public opinion. D. ...are constantly devising and considering policy options, whether or not there is a problem identified in the problem stream.

D. ...are constantly devising and considering policy options, whether or not there is a problem identified in the problem stream.

The "Multiple Streams" model is a model of policy implementation. (TRUE / FALSE)

FALSE

Agenda-Setting Process: The Bugdeting Process

Figures out how much discretionary programs (must answer the question of what issues are most important) -Allows us to anticipate the agenda that government is approving -Becomes highly contentious

Why is the Agenda-Setting Process Predictable?

It is fairly predictable because every 5 years a law is revisited and revised (reauthorization) / Steady Process

"Agenda setting" is the process by which policymakers decide what public problems or issues to address. (TRUE / FALSE)

TRUE

A disadvantage of relying on a quantitative indicator to identify problems is that what can be quantified is not necessarily what matters. (TRUE / FALSE)

TRUE

Policy legitimation (i.e., policymaking) is often a component of the implementation process. (TRUE / FALSE)

TRUE

Policy legitimation (i.e., policymaking) occurs in all branches of government. (TRUE / FALSE)

TRUE

The "politics stream" affects agenda-setting because who wields power (e.g., who the key decision-makers in government are) has a big impact on what public problems government places on the agenda. (TRUE / FALSE)

TRUE

Multiple Streams Model of Agenda-Setting: Problem Stream

The process by which identify issues to focus on (public problems). Problems for mechanisms (we come to pay attention to certain problems

Multiple Streams Model of Agenda-Setting: Problem Stream--> Crisis or Focusing Event

There are things in the world that grab our attention and have us focusing on certain policy issues (role of media) i.e. plane crashes hysteria can draw attention to safety regulations or School shootings can either draw attention to mental illness or gun control -Bad because the public solely begins to focus on issues we observe directly

Stages Model: Agenda Setting

This is the process by which we identify a problem or issue to address using government tools (where we focus our energies) -i.e. Every year, the Supreme Court identifies which cases they are going to hear

Stages Model: Policy Formulation

This is the process by which you are designing the solutions for a public problem or issue (done by staffers in the Senate)

Politics of Problem Definition --Social Dynamic

What issues merit being address by government is subjective -So many objective conditions (Whether or not these conditions are a problem is subjective)--> problems are socially constructed -The public is susceptible to manipulation and anecdotes (controlling the narrative to create a public policy issue)--> Welfare queens vs. School shootings (gun control) -Requires research and debate

Stages Model: Policy Legitimation

When any governmental actor authorize this i.e. enacting a law in Congress or the process of approving a law

Stages Model: Implementation

When someone brings it into action. Produces or uses an exercising organization to oversee and implement -Public administrators managing people and resources to minister a government policy - Policy or Program (how policy is being implemented) Evaluation: reviewing the implementing of it and check to see if it is working (Policy Analysts--studies the formation and evaluation stages)

If all the streams in the Multiple Streams Model align...

You get a "window of opportunity" for policy implementation or reform -Iraq War • Problem Stream: Focus Event was 9/11 / Terrorism went to top of the list of public problems that we wanted government to address • Policy Stream: Bush had a team to discuss or study international or foreign relations→ had ideas for democracies in Iraq • Politics Stream: Bush in office -Healthcare Reform • Problem Stream: People felt the cost of healthcare and concerning number of individuals who were uninsured • Policy Stream: Health Policy communities: i.e. 1990s insurance mandate and tried out and thought that it was politically viable • Politics Stream: Unified democratic executive (Obama) and legislative branches

Multiple Streams Model of Agenda-Setting: Problem Stream--> Quantitative Indicators

measures that we track that we believe captures some certain phenomenon in the world in order to prove a systematic trend (i.e. unemployment rate is a proxy for how well we are doing individually and altogether)