Chapter 13

Whatever governments choose to do or not to do

A model of policymaking that holds that policy is the product of an interlocking relationship between institutions of government and its social, economic, and political environment

A model of policymaking that holds that bureaucracies play a crucial role in making policy because of their commitment and the expertise they can provide

A model of policymaking that holds that public policy decisions in non-Marxist regimes reflect the interests of the ruling economic class at the expense of workers

A model of policymaking that posits a limited role for government so that the natural forces of supply and demand are allowed to prevail in the marketplace

A model of policymaking that holds that public policy decisions are made by a relatively small group of individuals acting in their own self-interest rather than in the interest of the mass of citizens

A model of policymaking that holds that public policy decisions are the result of struggles among contesting groups that reflect the various interest among citizens

A model of decision making that holds that policymakers should identify problems, consider various policy alternatives and their costs and benefits, and select and implement the policy strategy with the highest benefits and the lowest costs

A model of decisions making that holds that new policies should differ only marginally from existing policies

The public issues that engage the attention of elected officials

A specific course of action designed to deal with a public problem.

A formal, authoritative decision, such as the enactment of legislation, made by institutions of government to address an issue on the policy agenda

The translation of policy ideas into action

The act of determining whether a formally adopted and implemented policy ameliorated or solved a problem

A nation’s collective decisions about relations with other nations

A category of public policy that is comprised of policy decisions about matters affecting individuals within a political system