My  Second  Assignment  going  to  be:-­‐   Unit 2: Website Discussion Unit 2: Websites Discussion No  unread  replies.22  replies. Description Each unit, class members search for websites that focus on a single assigned topic. One or two topic choices are given for each unit’s discussion; where there are two topics, students select one. They will then find three to five websites that add something interesting to the course texts and any key ideas discussion on this topic. To the extent possible, sites chosen should not duplicate those used by other class members. Websites can include a range of media including videos in addition to text. However, given the course content it is best to emphasize text-based material. Websites chosen should offer thorough exploration of a topic, rather than a short description or definition. Wikipedia should not be used instead of a required site, though depending on the topic it may provide useful background information. Posting and Format A websites discussion of 200-300 words is posted (not attached) as a single message into a discussion thread, no later than 11 p.m. Central on Wednesday. It describes connections of the chosen sites to course concepts and explains why the student finds them interesting and/or important. Parenthetic page citations will be given for course texts but a reference list is not necessary unless sources other than the text or the chosen websites are cited. The chosen websites are shown as live links. The websites discussion is posted as a single message in the appropriate forum, labeled with the name of the topic. Due Date and Submission Requirements By 11 p.m. Central on Friday, class members post responses to the web discussion of two other students, showing that they have reviewed the websites provided, and commenting on points of interest that connect with course materials. This Unit's Website Discussion For this unit, examine one of these two important elements in the political environment of public organizations: the influence of interest groups on public policy, or government regulation of business.               This is an example for my second assignment: “one of my classmates post this TODAY” WK2 Websites Discussion Topic: Influence of interest groups on public policy Website #1: http://grprofessionals.org/news-resources/resources-for-lobbying-disclosure- act-and-hloga-for-lobbyists/ (Links to an external site.) This website found under the parent website of Association of Public Relations Professions, provides a wealth of information which correlates to the topic listed above. First, it promotes the ethical duties of public interest groups whom lobby for/within our government. Second, it briefly mentions the idea that transparency is one important key to the continued direct access of public interests groups for administration policies (Peters, 176). Third, the basic premi.

1. My
Second
Assignment
going
to
be:-­‐
Unit 2: Website Discussion
Unit 2: Websites Discussion
No
unread
replies.22
replies.
Description
Each unit, class members search for websites that focus on a
single assigned topic. One or
two topic choices are given for each unit’s discussion; where
there are two topics, students
select one. They will then find three to five websites that add
something interesting to the
course texts and any key ideas discussion on this topic.
To the extent possible, sites chosen should not duplicate those
used by other class
members. Websites can include a range of media including
videos in addition to text.
However, given the course content it is best to emphasize text-

2. based material.
Websites chosen should offer thorough exploration of a topic,
rather than a short description
or definition. Wikipedia should not be used instead of a
required site, though depending on
the topic it may provide useful background information.
Posting and Format
A websites discussion of 200-300 words is posted (not attached)
as a single message into a
discussion thread, no later than 11 p.m. Central on Wednesday.
It describes connections of
the chosen sites to course concepts and explains why the student
finds them interesting
and/or important.
Parenthetic page citations will be given for course texts but a
reference list is not necessary
unless sources other than the text or the chosen websites are
cited. The chosen websites
are shown as live links. The websites discussion is posted as a
single message in the
appropriate forum, labeled with the name of the topic.
Due Date and Submission Requirements
By 11 p.m. Central on Friday, class members post responses to
the web discussion of two
other students, showing that they have reviewed the websites
provided, and commenting on
points of interest that connect with course materials.
This Unit's Website Discussion

3. For this unit, examine one of these two important elements in
the political environment of
public organizations: the influence of interest groups on public
policy, or government
regulation of business.
This is an example for my second assignment: “one of my
classmates post this TODAY”
WK2 Websites Discussion
Topic: Influence of interest groups on public policy
Website #1: http://grprofessionals.org/news-
resources/resources-for-lobbying-disclosure-
act-and-hloga-for-lobbyists/ (Links to an external site.)
This website found under the parent website of Association of
Public Relations Professions,
provides a wealth of information which correlates to the topic
listed above. First, it promotes
the ethical duties of public interest groups whom lobby

4. for/within our government. Second, it
briefly mentions the idea that transparency is one important key
to the continued direct
access of public interests groups for administration policies
(Peters, 176). Third, the basic
premise of those who lobby for their special interest somehow
negates the negative image
of “you scratch my back and I’ll scratch yours” portrayed by
Peters (170).
Website #2:
http://www.apa.org/about/gr/education/advocacy/2009/elc-
support.aspx (Links
to an external site.)
This website was a rather fun one as I have had the opportunity
to participate in this one for
a variety of endeavors. The one listed here however, is designed
to lobby for “increased
funding for the Graduate Psychology Education (GPE) Program,
the only federal program
solely dedicated to the support of psychology
education/training.” When reviewing Peters
the concept which struck was the “required consultation for new
regulations” although not
mentioned in this website, the experiences that I have had were
when I was actively sought
for my expertise in this or that venue. What I fear is that
sometimes they solicit those who
want control rather than promote the advancement of policy –
another thought found in
Peters (175).
Website #3: http://www.opensecrets.org/industries/mems.php
(Links to an external site.)
This website was highly specific and outlined a wide variety of
current interest groups.

5. Specifically, they outline “who has the most juice” on Capitol
Hill. Here it reminds me of the
idea that some special interest groups will lobby to gain their
agenda (Peters, 178).
Specifically, it reminds of the specific type of system
institutional as promoted where there
are legitimate interactions between the interest group and
administrations – as such – the
covert versus the overt of it all!
Warm Regards,
MiKi
Word Count: 275 +/-
References
Peters, B. Guy, 2010. The Politics of Bureaucracy: An
Introduction to Comparative Public
Administration. New York, NY: Routledge
My
Second
Assignment
going
to
be:-­‐
Unit
2:
Key
Ideas

6. Description
In
each
unit
with
assigned
readings,
class
members
post
discussion
of
"key
ideas,"
one
for
each
assigned
reading.
The
key
ideas
assignment
is
intended
to
encourage
reflective
reading
and
informed

7. discussion.
A
key
idea
addresses
what
the
student
finds
to
be
an
important
or
useful
concept.
Each
key
idea
entry
describes
the
key
idea,
then
may
assess
its
importance,
strengths
and/or

8. weaknesses,
practical
application,
or
points
of
interest
or
confusion.
It
can
be
useful
to
illustrate
key
ideas
by
briefly
linking
them
to
news
events,
societal
conditions,
or
personal
experience.
Key
ideas

9. are
about
specific
concepts
from
a
portion
of
a
reading,
though
sometimes
they
are
central
to
an
entire
reading.
Key
ideas
entries
do
not
summarize
entire
assigned
readings
or
the
posted
course
notes
for

10. the
unit.
Key
ideas
should
be
chosen
from
different
readings,
or
from
different
chapters
within
a
reading.
Students
should
avoid
repeating
ideas
from
unit
materials
posted
by
the
professor.
Posting

11. and
Format
Key
ideas
for
the
unit
are
typed
or
pasted
directly
into
a
discussion
thread,
as
one
assignment,
no
later
than
11
p.m.
Central
on
Wednesday.
Each
key
idea
should

12. be
discussed
in
approximately
150-­‐200
words
of
narrative
(not
including
quotation
or
lists),
separated
into
paragraphs
where
appropriate.
Each
key
idea
is
labeled
with
the
name
of
the
key
idea,
author
of

13. the
source
reading,
and
page
number(s)
of
the
key
idea.
(For
example:
“Administrative
structure
in
the
United
Kingdom,
Peters,
pages
129-­‐132,”
or
“The
city
manager
form
of
government,
Judd
and
Swanstrom,
pages
96-­‐97.”)

14. Neither
parenthetic
citations
with
author
and
date
nor
a
reference
list
need
be
included
with
the
key
ideas
entries.
However,
parenthetic
citations
for
page
numbers
must
be
given
for
quotations
and

15. to
show
locations
of
ideas
from
the
readings
(showing
location
is
not
necessary
if
the
key
idea
appears
on
only
one
page).
Excessive
quotation
and
lists
should
be
avoided;
concepts
should
usually
be

16. summarized
in
the
student’s
words.
Class
members
should
post
thoughtful
and
substantive
replies
to
the
key
ideas
of
at
least
two
other
class
members
each
unit.
These
replies
are
due
by
11

17. p.m.
Central
on
Friday.
Additional
dialogue
posts
are
welcome.
When
appropriate,
the
professor
will
offer
substantive
comments
or
suggestions
for
improvement
in
format
or
discussion
of
key
ideas.

18. This is an example for my second assignment: “one of my
classmates post this yesterday”
WK2 Key Ideas Discussion
Key Idea #1: Depersonalization of the Administration, Peters,
pages 156-157
This concept was an interesting one, due to the cultural nature
of certain policies (i.e.,
foreign trade deals). Further when Peters (2010) highlights
what might happen when or if the
structure of bureaucracy is forced upon another culture.
Additionally, from a personal
standpoint, the applications of certain policies do not work if
the “host” culture is not
consulted. This sentiment is echoed by Peters who argues that
communication regarding
core values in Western bureaucracies (i.e., “uniform behavior
and client treatment”) is not the
non-Western value (Peters, 2010, 158). What is clear from the
dialogue given regarding the
depersonalization of the administration is that a good
communication should be the first step
to easing the dysfunction which might result.
Key Idea #2: Network Theory, Peters, p. 174-176
This concept struck a memory – no pun intended – regarding the
use of network theory to
recall a memory, increase political exposure, and so forth.

19. While the text seemed to present
a rather unsatisfactory viewpoint of the actual benefit of
network theory and its use within
bureaucracy, the concept behind its inception is clear. Interest
groups and other actors
need to have their interests heard in order to have policies
made; therefore, they have to
make contact with others – either with similarly minded
individuals or those who may conflict
with their interests (Peters, 2010). From an interesting
viewpoint, it seems the more
branches of an interest groups network the better and more
often the “benefits” would come
into existence. What is trying though is that the debate over the
same definition given to
community, one that I believe should imply two different
meaning.
Key Idea #3: Implementation of Policy, Peters, p. 206-208
This has always been of interest due to the various “red tape”
hidden in many policies which
become law. For example, when Common Core was instituted
in our university, we had to
take training on how to motivate students to come to class – this
was a component of the
common core as the policy was listed for our department.
However, I digress. Here again
we are dealing with a communication between two parties, what
remains is that the politics
of the policy often impact the when, how, and who of the policy
more than the actual
organization intended. In other words, political pressures
dictate how one implements goals,
take action for/against a policy, and even stagnates the
government and society. Peters
(2010) highlights several ideas regarding the lacking

20. implementation of policy to be a
contemporary issue one that must be to blame for superfluous
policy that do not resemble
the initial goal of the initial discussion or even the official
document!
Warm Regards,
MiKi
Word Count: 400 +/-
References
Peters, B. Guy, 2010. The Politics of Bureaucracy: An
Introduction to Comparative Public
Administration. New York, NY: Routledge.