REVIEW FOR MIDTERM EXAM

Sample Short Answer

public policy

politics

cultural context

why government intervenes in people's lives

impact of separation of powers on policymaking

difference between President Nixon and President Reagan's  "new federalism"

impact of checks and balances on policymaking

role of interest groups in policymaking

iron triangles

group theory

elite theory

incrementalism

systems theory

conservation v. development

Rachel Carson and Silent Spring

why the federal government became involved in environmental policymaking

the science v. politics problem involving environmental policymaking

why states differ in terms of their environmental policymaking

the six steps involved in the Policymaking  Process - - agenda setting, policy formulation, policy legitimation, policy implementation, policy evaluation, policy change/termination

Sample Essay

1.  Use the rational choice approach and analyze the problem of cell phone use while driving

2.  Which theory of politics - - group theory or elite theory - - best reflects the American political system today?  Describe, explain and defend your answer.

3.  Should citizens have more or less input into the policymaking process at the national level?  Defend your position.  What problems or criticisms might your position encounter?  How would you respond to these criticisms?