Public Policy What is public policy Public policy

Public Policy

What is public policy? • Public policy is an attempt by a government to address a public issue or problem by instituting laws, regulations, decisions, or actions pertinent to the problem at hand

Stages of the policy process Agenda Setting Policy Adoption Policy Implementation

Agenda Setting • The process by which problems and alternative solutions gain or lose public and elite attention • Types of agendas: • Public Agenda- Issues that have a high level of public interest • Formal Agenda- Issues that the government can/will address

How do policy issues emerge? • Triggering mechanisms- “a critical event (or set of events) that converts a routine problem into a widely shared, negative public response” • Dimensions of triggering mechanisms: • Scope = # of people affected • Intensity = perceived importance • Time = length of time a critical event unfolds Policy issues are most likely to progress through the policy process when scope and intensity are high, and the critical event(s) happens quickly

Types of triggering mechanisms • Internal- natural catastrophes, economic calamities, technological breakthroughs, social evolution • External- acts of war, indirect conflicts, economic confrontations, balance of power • 1960 s Civil Rights Movement Civil Rights Act, Voting Rights Act • 1930 s Great Depression New Deal Legislation • 1980 s/90 s Crack cocaine epidemic War on Drugs

Public Policy Project • Gun Control • Affirmative Action • Environment • Welfare reform • Education • Health Care • Abortion • Death penalty • Gay Marriage/Rights • Stem Cell Research • Immigration • Social Security

Presentation • A definition of the public policy issue the group researched. • What is the issue? • Give a brief history of the issue (When did it first come to light? How as it progressed over time? ) • What is the problem with the current policy? • Why is this issue currently of public interest? • What the government has done lately to address the issue? (Approximately the last 10 years) • What do Democrats think the best policy for the future is and why? • What do Republicans think the best policy for the future is and why? • (This part should encourage others in the class to be able to draw their own opinions on the matter, not convince them that what you think is right. If it is done well, this part of the project will encourage your classmates to ask questions and respond to politicians’ ideas)