1. The exercise of power by parties, individuals and groups, at the time when they are collectively in control of the state, over matters which are directly connected with the governing of the state. Public policy – working definition

2. Democratic model of public policy Party A policies ELECTION Party A Wins Party A policy = public policy Party B policies PARTY POLICY ELECTION PUBLIC POLICY

3. Some theories of public policy Marxist theory Structuralism/functionalism Pluralism Rational choice

4. Democratic model of public policy Party A policies ELECTION Party A Wins Party A policy = public policy Party B policies PARTY POLICY ELECTION PUBLIC POLICY

5. 1. The electorate 2. Politicians 3. Unelected officials 4. Elites 5. Interest groups 6. Big corporations 7. Think tanks POSSIBLE ACTORS IN THE POLICY PROCESS

6. Pluralist model of public policy Pre-election party policy Think tanks Public opinion Interest groups Lobbyists Post election government policy Public policy Civil servants

7. How to increase your school’s percentage of 5 A-C grades at GCSE 1. Increase the number of teachers. POSITIVE: Increasing the number of teachers will reduce class sizes and make the students perform better NEGATIVE: It will cost a lot of money: since good teachers are rare, they come at a higher price than ordinary teachers 2. Try to recruit more high-calibre students POSITIVE: Better students mean better exam results NEGATIVE: Catch-22: decent students will stay away until exam results improve 3. Prevent some students from taking GCSEs POSITIVE: Making sure only the best students are allowed to take GCSE exams means the proportion of students gaining lots of high grades will increase NEGATIVE: If some students are excluded from GCSEs they will receive a worse education than they would otherwise