This document provides suggested questions for a mid-term exam on the course "Public Policy Analysis" at Bangladesh University of Professionals. The questions cover topics like the definition of public policy, the role of politics in policymaking, models of the policy process, stages of the policy cycle like agenda setting, and the "iron triangle" concept of alignment among key policymaking actors. Readings are referenced on understanding the policy process, Lowi's four systems of policymaking, the policy cycle, agenda setting, and the iron triangle.
Suggestion for mid term exam bds-4837 public policy analysis
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Bangladesh University of Professionals
Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences
Department of Development Studies
BSS (Hons.) in Development Studies (4th Year, 8th Semester)
Course Name: Public Policy Analysis
Course Code: BDS 4837
Suggested questions for mid-term exam
Answer any two questions from the following options.
1. What is public policy? What makes public policy public? Discuss the appropriate role of
the public in the creation and implementation of public policy.
2. How is public policy grounded in the study of politics? What do you think is the term
“politics” means in this context? Do you think it would be possible to make public policy
without politics?
3. Explain four systems of policy, politics and choice along with the diagram.
4. Write the names of different stages in a Policy Cycle. Briefly discuss first two stages of
policy cycle with relevant examples.
5. While problem recognition and problem definition in liberal democracies are said to be
largely conducted in public, in the media or at least among domain-specific professional
(public) communities, the actual agenda-setting is characterized by different patterns in
terms of actor composition and the role of the public. Considering this statement,
critically discuss different patterns of agenda-setting with relevant examples from
Bangladesh
6. Write the names of different levels of Agenda in the Agenda Setting Process.
7. Discuss how an issue travels through these levels to be finally an agenda for the
Government.
8. What is perceived as a policy problem? How and when does a policy problem get on the
government’s agenda? Why are other problems excluded from the agenda?
9. What is Iron Triangle of Policy Making? Discuss how alignment of interests and actions
takes place among three key actors in public policy making.
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Reading references
1. Understanding public policy
Reading: Chapter 1: Introducing the Policy Process” in Thomas A. Birkland (2016) An
Introduction to the Policy Process: Theories, Concepts, and Models of Public Policy
Making (4th edition), pp. 1-24.
2. Four systems of policy, politics and choice
Reading: Four Systems of Policy, Politics, and Choice by Theodore J. Lowi (1972).
3. Stages of policy cycle
Reading: Handbook of Public Policy Analysis: Theory, Politics, and Methods, Page 43-
58.
4. Agenda setting
Reading: Handbook of Public Policy Analysis: Theory, Politics, and Methods, Page 63-
65.
5. Iron triangle of policy making
Reading:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iron_triangle_(US_politics)#/media/File:Irontriangle.PNG