Identify and describe three factors which influence the environment of U.S. public policymaking. Explain the effect of these environmental factors.
What will be an ideal response?
Students can identify and describe conservatism, participation, pragmatism, U.S. wealth, diversity, and world leadership. Policy is not constructed in a vacuum; it is the result of the integration of all the background factors with the desires and decisions of those who make policy. Policy emerges from the interaction of a large number of forces, many of which are beyond the control of the decision-makers. U.S. is relatively conservative in policy terms with a political culture characterized by a belief in limited government. Though professing conservative ideals generally, Americans tend to support specific, individual programs (Free and Cantril). Budget deficits are a function of this dichotomy. Challenges to effective participation include the large and decentralized political system; the reported lack of sufficient information needed for citizens to participate; and resulting low rates of participation. Policy increasingly requires avenue of citizen participation. Pragmatism focuses on the notion that decision-makers should focus on “what works” rather than ideology. Pragmatism seems to be fading in the American political environment in favor of more ideological thinking. The wealth of the United States affects its ability to provide government services. Threats to this wealth may limit the ability of policymakers to offer services. Diversity of income, wealth, race, ethnicity, and languages provides particular challenges in developing policies that are satisfactory to the citizenry. American policymakers cannot concentrate on a single class or social group but must provide something for everyone if the interests of the society as a whole are to be served. The U.S. role as an economic, political, and military world leader puts burdens on policymakers to exercise world influence. In addition, U.S. policy impacts are not contained within its borders but have worldwide effects.
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a. the President of Argentina b. the number of citizens living below the poverty line c. the United Kingdom d. a U.S. citizen
Which of the following are the three layers of organization of the federal judiciary?
A. state supreme courts, appellate courts, and the Supreme Court B. criminal law courts, civil law courts, and the Supreme Court C. the district courts, the circuit courts of appeal, and the Supreme Court D. state courts, district courts of appeal, and the Supreme Court
Which of the following factors best explains why the United States is ambiguous about the use of multilateralism in its foreign policy?
A. America's superpower status B. the cost of dues to multilateral organizations such as the UN C. skepticism about the abilities and goals of national organizations D. lack of the ability to disband international organizations
According to Art, what makes force "integral" to political interaction in the international realm?
a. the anarchic nature of the system b. the fact that all states have the capacity to use force c. the fact that only the use of force is guaranteed to produce the outcome desire. d. the absence of other viable sources of power with which a state can influence interactions e. the fact that among all actors in international relations, only states have the capacity to use force