This document outlines the key concepts and steps in the public policy process. It discusses the types of public policies, including distributive, regulatory, redistributive, material and symbolic policies. It then explains the six steps in the policy process: policy identification, formation, adoption, legitimation, implementation and evaluation. It also covers topics like the policy agenda, discretionary vs mandatory spending, the budget process, treaties/executive agreements and the War Powers Resolution.

1. POL 375
Spring 2018

4.  Public policy is a course of governmental action
or inaction in response to public problems.
 Policy Inputs, Outputs, and Outcomes
 Who are stakeholders?

6.  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
 Examples: Banking, Insurance

7.  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

9.  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
▪ Who determines issues? Pluralist vs Elitist Models
 Systemic or Public Agenda
▪ Popular support may not move issues to govt. agenda
 Agenda-Setting and “Focusing Events”

10.  Step #2: Policy Formation
 Setting goals & creating plans to accomplish objectives
 May formulate multiple policy solutions
 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

11.  Step #5: Policy Implementation
 Connection between governmental intention and
getting real-world results
 Policy details are vague, so 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.  Discretionary Spending
 Programs and agencies funded by Congress
 Mandatory Spending:
Entitlement Programs
 Examples: Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid

14.  Congress pass authorization laws before
programs and agencies get funding:
 (1) Establish or continue (re-authorize) programs
/agencies
 (2) Define functions, purposes, and operations of
programs/agencies
 Recommend (authorize) appropriations for
programs/agencies
 House initiates appropriations bills
 What is a continuing resolution?

15.  Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974
 Created House and Senate Budget Committees
 Created Congressional Budget Office (CBO)
▪ “Scores” committee legislation based on financial impact
▪ Issues financial and monetary reports
 Limited Presidential Use of Impoundment
 Created a Timetable for Authorizing and Appropriating
Funds

17.  Treaties and Executive Agreements
 Treaties Negotiated by POTUS;
Approved by Senate
 NOT Automatic – Wilson and Treaty ofVersailles
 POTUS can get around treaty process by issuing
executive agreements (non-binding)

18.  Conduct of Vietnam War by LBJ and Nixon
 Main Provisions:
 Consult with Congress before sending troops
 Report commitment of troops within 48 hours
 Terminate forces within 60 days unless Congress
intervenes(Declares war, Extends timeline, etc.)
▪ Presidents follow initial reporting guidelines
▪ Congress has failed to enforce 60-day timeline
 WPR generally ignored by White House