Discuss the problem-definition and agenda-setting stages of policy making. 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?

What will be an ideal response?


This is the first stage in the policy process model. Problems are not always objectively clear, and as a result, problems can be framed in a variety of ways depending on one’s bias. Politicians can spin a problem, so opposing political camps may define a problem differently. Poverty is an example, where conservatives see it as a failure of personal responsibility, and liberals may see it as due to environmental barriers and circumstances. Once a problem garners the attention of lawmakers, they begin to formulate policy proposals. There is competition for agenda space; not everything can be analyzed by government. Political influence by elected officials, actions by government actors, and the policy streams are likely to influence agenda setting.

Political Science

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Using the case of Russia and Eastern Europe since 1991, analyze the primary hurdles confronting states that hope to make the transition to market-based economies

Fill in the blank with the appropriate word. What recommendations would you make to countries that are currently transitioning based on your assessment? What will be an ideal response?

Political Science

War was declared an illegal instrument of national policy in the:

A. Geneva Convention B. Universal Declaration of Human Rights C. Hague Conventions D. UN Charter E. Kellogg-Briand Act

Political Science

The Brundtland Commission issued a document that defined the Law of the Seas

Indicate whether this statement is true or false.

Political Science

Pluralization is a more accurate description of twenty-first-century globalization than democratization because

a. diminished costs have made luxuries available to everyone. b. inequality in wealth means that despite large increases in the number of people able to participate in global networks, these networks still exclude large portions of the population even in wealthy states. c. transnational networks allow political participation across borders. d. individuals are now much more likely to belong to more than one global network. e. there are now many more global networks, even though they have not become significantly more democratic.

Political Science