PS 310, Fall 2007

Rough study guide for the final exam.

The following is derived from the pool of questions that have been developed since I began teaching this course many years ago. These questions have been asked in previous years’ and this year’s  quizzes, midterms, and finals. Please the following in mind:

1. These are not the only questions that may appear on the exam. This is a study guide. And these questions were developed for a somewhat different course than PS 310. But if you have a good grasp on these concepts, you will do well on the final exam.

2. While some questions may be drawn from this pool, you should not count on all of them coming from this question pool. Indeed, for a take home exam questions will be rather more complex, but not necessarily more difficult to answer.

3. Remember that the questions for discussion at the end of each paragraph in my book will also be fair game for exam questions.

4. Ask me or your TA if you have questions or comments about this study guide.

 

Sample Short Questions

 

  1. Briefly identify and describe the role of three unofficial actors in the public policy process.
  2. Describe agenda setting and give an example.
  3. Describe and explain the significance of the era of “National Activism.”
  4. Describe four characteristics of a bureaucracy.
  5. Describe the difference between a substantive policy and a procedural policy.
  6. Describe three advantages that the president has over the Congress.
  7. Describe three features of the polis model.
  8. Draw the levels of the agenda and briefly explain their importance.
  9. Evidence but not emotion plays a key role in public policy.
  10. Explain how an "excessive policy demand" might be used as an explanation for a policy failure.
  11. Explain how the goals of equality and efficiency can conflict when designing a policy.
  12. Explain how the goals of security and liberty may conflict when designing policy.
  13. Explain the difference between a condition and a problem.
  14. Explain the difference between a private and public interest group. Give one example of each and explain why you consider them a public or private interest group.
  15. Explain the difference between a procedural right and a substantive right.
  16. Explain the difference between material and symbolic policies.
  17. Explain the difference between statute law and case law.
  18. Explain the difference between the bottom-up and top-down approaches to studying implementation.
  19. Explain the differences between distributive, redistributive and regulatory policies.
  20. Explain what Kingdon and Birkland mean by a policy window or window of opportunity.
  21. Explain what Kingdon means by “the national mood.”
  22. Explain what Schattschneider means when he states that every political organization is a “mobilization of bias.”
  23. Explain what the “free rider” problem is within the study of economics and public policy.
  24. Explain why the American political system is considered fragmented.
  25. For Stone, explain why information is never complete in a polis.
  26. Give a definition of the term “public policy.”
  27. Give an example of a focusing event. Why was it so important for policy making?
  28. Give one reason to explain why, according to the polis model, there is not a trade-off between equity and efficiency.
  29. In class, we discussed ways that issues can reach the agenda. Describe two and give an example of each.
  30. In his cost-benefit typology, Wilson describes four types of politics that may result. Describe one (make sure to include how benefits and costs are distributed or concentrated).
  31. In part III, Stone discusses several ways in which Numbers can be used to define a problem. Describe one and give an example.
  32. In Stone’s discussion of rules, she states the argument for “precise” formal rules rests on three pillars. Identify two of the three.
  33. List two major explanations for policy failure.
  34. Name and describe three primary responsibilities of a Congress member.
  35. Name and describe two types of policy tools.
  36. One purpose of government is to correct for market failures. Briefly describe three types of market failures and give an example of each.
  37. Since our nation's founding in its current form in 1789, the United States has been one of the most stable nations in the world. Describe two elements of American stability and why they are important.
  38. Stone discusses six types of stories that are symbols, which help define problems in the public sector. Describe one type of story and give an example.
  39. The Lowi and Wilson typologies are not the only ways to categorize public policies. Chapter six discusses four other ways to categorize public policies. Describe one of the other typologies and give an example.
  40. The Wilson typology discusses four ways that costs and benefits can be distributed in a public policy. Describe two and give an example of each. In your answer, be sure to include the type of politics involved.
  41. There are different types of causal theories, depending on whether consequences are intended or unintended and whether actions are guided or unguided. Describe one type of cause and give an example.
  42. There are several explanations of policy failure outlined in chapter eight. Describe one explanation and give an example.
  43. There are several ways to discuss the concept of equity (equality) in public policy. Use your own example or an example discussed in class to explain three of these definitions.
  44. There is a liberty-equality trade-off Describe one of the arguments that Stone makes either for or against this statement.
  45. To obtain a legal right to something, three elements are necessary. Describe all three.
  46. Using what you learned in Stone’s book, explain why information is never complete in a polis.
  47. What are the characteristics of top-down approaches to policy implementation?
  48. What are ways that groups and/or individuals can induce policy change?
  49. What does Stone mean by indoctrination?
  50. What does Stone mean by “the polis”?
  51. What is an indicator? Give an example.
  52. What is logrolling? Give an example.
  53. What is the difference between formal rules and rules of thumb?
  54. What is the Freedom of information Act?
  55. What is the Patriot Act?
  56. What is the top-down approach to policy design?