Chapter 16 Notes - Public Policy

Chapter 16 Notes What Is Public Policy? Public policy refers to the overall approach the government takes to carry out its responsibilities. More specifically, it includes consistent government actions and decisions that respond to issues affecting society. Public policy is meant to: -​ provide long-term direction for laws and government action, not just temporary solutions or one-time laws -​ address problems that affect large groups of people rather than just individuals or small groups -​ include not only laws passed by the government but also the results and impacts those actions create​ Examples of Public Policy in Practice Some well-known examples of public policy include: -​ -​ -​ -​ the Affordable Care Act (2010) the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act (2010) Medicare and Medicaid programs the Clean Water Act (1972)​ Types of Goods in Society Economists use the word goods to describe products, services, and systems that help people meet their needs and wants. There are different types of goods in society: Private Goods​ Private goods are owned by individuals or specific groups. Access to them can be limited, and others can be excluded from using them. Public Goods​ Public goods are not owned by anyone and are available for everyone to use. They are not restricted and are generally unlimited. An example is the air we breathe. Resources like forests, water, and fisheries are also public goods, but they are often referred to as common goods. Toll Goods​ Toll goods are open to many people and can last indefinitely if maintained, but users must pay to access them. These goods are usually provided by non-government sources. Examples include cable television and cellphone service. Public Policy Domains in the United States: The American People The United States is an extremely diverse country, which makes analyzing public opinion more challenging. Strong political beliefs and ideologies play a major role in shaping public policy debates. The U.S. Census helps track population changes and trends. -​ -​ -​ -​ The first census was conducted in 1790 The Constitution requires an official population count every ten years Census results affect how much funding each state receives Census data also determines how many representatives each state has​ Immigration and Diversity in the U.S. The United States has long been a nation shaped by immigration. It is multicultural and multilingual, with many groups adopting shared American values over time. The idea of the melting pot suggests cultures blend together, while the salad bowl concept emphasizes maintaining cultural differences. There have been several major waves of immigration: -​ “Old immigrants” came from Northern and Western Europe, including England, Ireland, and Germany -​ “New immigrants” arrived from Southern and Eastern Europe, such as Italy, Russia, and Poland -​ Post-1965 immigrants primarily came from Latin America and Asia​ Historically, African Americans were the largest minority group in the U.S. However, the 2000 census showed that the Latino population became larger. Limits on Immigration Before the 1870s, the United States generally had very few restrictions on immigration. Over time, laws were introduced to limit and regulate immigration, including the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965. Public policy process The public policy process contains four sequential stages: -​ Agenda setting -​ Policy enactment -​ Policy implementation -​ evaluation