00 Introduction: Government, Politics, and the Policymaking Process

The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) is a federal law designed to end discrimination against persons with disabilities.

The Public Policy Approach

Public Policy and the Policymaking Environment

• The public policy approach is a comprehensive method for studying the process through which issues come to the attention of government decision makers and through which policies are formulated, adopted, implemented, and evaluated.
• The policymaking environment is the complex of factors outside of government that has an impact, either directly or indirectly, on the policymaking process. The types of issues that the government addresses, the set of policy alternatives that government decision makers are willing to consider, and the resources available to the government depend on the international, cultural, demographic, economic, constitutional, and political environments.

Agenda Building

• Agenda building is the process through which problems become matters of public concern and government action. The politics of agenda building involves government officials and groups outside of the government identifying problems for government attention, as well as defining the nature of those problems and the thrust of a policy solution.

Policy Formulation and Adoption

• Policy formulation is the development of strategies for dealing with the problems on the official policy agenda. Government officials as well as individuals and organizations outside of government, such as interest groups, political parties, policy experts, and the media, participate in policy formulation. Public policy reflects the result of conflict and occasionally compromise among the participants.
• Policy adoption is the official decision of a government body to accept a particular policy and put it into effect. Congress adopts policies through the legislative process, courts adopt policies when they decide cases, government agencies adopt policies by issuing regulations, and the president can adopt policies by issuing executive orders.

Policy Implementation and Evaluation

• Policy implementation is the stage of the policy process in which policies are carried out. Implementation involves not just government officials but also individuals and groups outside of the government. The implementation process often involves supplying details and interpretations of policy that are omitted, either intentionally or unintentionally, during policy formulation.
• Policy evaluation is the assessment of policy. It involves questions of equity, efficiency, effectiveness, and political feasibility. The impact of the results of policy evaluation on the policy process is known as feedback. Evaluation studies frequently result in initiatives to modify policies or improve their implementation.

Key Terms

Agenda Building

the process through which problems become matters of public concern and government action

Empirical Analysis

a method of study that relies on experience and scientific observation

Feedback

the impact of the results of policy evaluation on the policy process

Government

the institution with authority to set policy for society

Gross Domestic Product (GDP)

the total value of goods and services produced by a nationÕs economy in a year, excluding transactions with foreign countries

Issue Network

a group of political actors that is actively involved with policymaking in a particular issue area

Normative Analysis

a method of study that is based on certain values

Policy Adoption

the official decision of a government body to accept a particular policy and put it into effect

Policy Evaluation

the assessment of policy.

Policy Formulation

the development of strategies for dealing with the problems on the official policy agenda

Policy Implementation

the stage of the policy process in which policies are carried out

Policymaking Environment

the complex of factors outside of government that has an impact, either directly or indirectly, on the policymaking process

Politics

the process that determines who shall occupy the roles of leadership in government and how the power of government shall be exercised

Public Policy

the response or lack of response of government decision-makers to an issue

Public Policy Approach

a comprehensive method for studying the process through which issues come to the attention of government decision-makers and through which policies are formulated, adopted, implemented, and evaluated

Discussion Questions

1. How does government impact your life on a daily basis?

2. What is the public policy approach to studying American government? What are the five stages of the public policy approach?

3. What are some examples of agenda building? What individuals, groups, or institutions play a key role in this stage of the policymaking process?

4. Explain the difference between normative and empirical analyses. What are some examples of each?

5. What was the process for formulation, adoption, and implementation of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)?

Interactive Activity

Visual Literacy: Using the Census to Understand Who Americans Are

The United States is one of the most diverse nations in the world, and it is becoming even more diverse. The U.S. Census, conducted once every ten years, provides a wealth of information regarding the American people. In this visual literacy activity, you will examine charts and graphs of Census data to explore demographic and political trends. Which regions of America are becoming more politically powerful? Which regions of America have the worst poverty? How is the aging of the population changing America?

View Visual Literacy Activity

“Talking About American Government” Podcasts

Author Neal Tannahill explains important chapter concepts.

• Politics
• The Policymaking Process