This document outlines the key concepts and steps in the public policy process. It discusses the types of policies, including distributive, regulatory, redistributive, material, and symbolic policies. The policy process steps include policy identification, formation, adoption, legitimation, implementation, and evaluation. Examples of presidential administrations and their signature policy agendas are also provided, such as Roosevelt's New Deal, Reagan's Reaganomics, and Obama's Affordable Care Act.

1. POL 308
Fall 2019

5.  Public policy is a course of governmental action
or inaction in response to public problems.
 Policy is not made in a vacuum.
 Policy Outputs vs. Policy Outcomes

7.  Distributive Policies
 Provide services/benefits to particular individuals
or groups in a population
 Examples: Farming subsidies, funding for
infrastructure, schools
 Regulatory Policies
 Restrictions on limitations on behavior
 Conflict between two groups or coalitions

8.  Redistributive Policies
 Shift wealth, income, property, or other resources
from one societal group to another
▪ Wealthy vs. Poor;White-Collar vs. Blue-Collar
 Material Policies
 Provide tangible resources or power
 Example: Federal grants to states for police
 Symbolic Policies
 Appeal to values (peace, patriotism)
 Examples: “Just Say No” / DARE, flag burning

10.  Step #1: Policy Identification
 Focus = Problem Definition
 Why does govt. pay attention to some issues?
▪ Time vs. Problems; Policy Agenda
 TwoTypes of Agendas:
 Institutional or Governmental Agenda
 Systemic or Public Agenda
 Agenda-Setting and “Focusing Events”

11.  Step #2: Policy Formation
 Setting goals & creating plans to accomplish them
 Step #3: Policy Adoption
 Making choice on final policy among alternatives
 Step #4: Policy Legitimation
 Occurs through public statements, executive
orders, budgets, laws, rules and regulations

12.  Step #5: Policy Implementation
 Connection between governmental intention and
getting real-world results
 Policy details are vague; Implementation is key
 Policy may be altered/changed at this stage
 Step #6: Policy Evaluation
 Potential impacts of policy are examined
 Was policy successful or not?
 Continuation, Adjustment , orTermination

13. INSTRUCTIONS
Using the steps of the policy process,
think of a national problem
that needs to be solved.
What problem are you identifying?
How should the policy be implmented?
How should the policy’s effectiveness be evaluated?

14.  The Legislative Presidency
 The Administrative Presidency
 The Rhetorical Presidency

16.  T. Roosevelt: “Square Deal “
 Conservation of Natural Resources
 Control of Corporations
 Consumer Protection
 Wilson: “New Freedom”
 Tariff, Business, Banking Reforms
 F.D. Roosevelt: “New Deal”
 Social Welfare programs

17.  Truman: “Fair Deal”
 Universal health insurance
 Fair Employment Practices Commission
 Repeal ofTaft-Hartley Act (Labor)
 Kennedy: “New Frontier”
 Expansion of unemployment and welfare
 Banned housing discrimination by race

18.  L.B. Johnson: “Great Society”
 Civil Rights Act of 1964
 Voting Rights Act of 1965
 “War on Poverty”
 Head Start
 Ronald Reagan – “Reaganomics”
 Reduce growth of government spending
 Reduce federal income tax
 Reduce government regulation
 Tighten money supply to reduce inflation

19.  George H.W. Bush
 “Read My Lips, No NewTaxes”
 Americans with Disabilities Act
 Bill Clinton
 Health Care Reform (Failed)
 “Don’t Ask, Don’tTell”
 George W. Bush
 No Child Left Behind (Education)
 Reforming Social Security (Failed)

20.  Barack Obama
 Lily Ledbetter Fair Pay Act
 Affordable Care Act
 DonaldTrump
 EO on Immigration
 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act