1. Domestic Policy
Chapter 17

2. Public Policy
Public Policy is an intentional course of action or inaction followed by government in dealing with some problem or matter of concern.
These policies are on people
Those who don’t comply can be penalized through fines, loss of benefits and even jail terms.

3. Theories of Public Policy
Elite Theory Bureaucratic Theory Interest Group Theory

4. A Model of the Policy-Making Process
The stages of the process
Problem recognition and definition
Agenda setting
Policy
Budgeting
Policy implementation
Policy evaluation
Click “The stages of the process” to view a diagram of all the steps. Use the specific examples to illustrate the steps of the process, such as those exemplified by the photos accessed through the other hyperlinks on this page.
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5. Problem Recognition and Definition
There is rarely an agreed upon definition of a problem.
How the problem is defined will help determine what sort of action is
Political parties and interest groups battle over the definition and recognition of a problem.

6. Agenda Setting
Once a problem has been defined, it must be brought to the attention of public officials and placed on the agenda.
Agenda setters include: the , interest groups and political crises.
The president uses the State of the Union, his and key speeches to push his agenda.
Crises like 9/11 and the crisis have affected the agenda in recent years.

7. Policy formulation/adoption
These two steps are the most time consuming.
Legislators, the president, interest groups and government agencies work together to try to create a policy that can be adopted.
Usually the legislation is , making only marginal changes to existing policy

8. Budgeting/Policy Implementation
The funding of a policy can determine its effectiveness.
Public policy is generally implemented by government agencies ( )
The agencies are often given due to their expertise in that area.
Congressional committees have the power of oversight and control over the budgets of the agencies.

9. Policy Evaluation
The process of determining whether a course of action is achieving its intended goals.
Sometimes a program is judged to be good simply because it is politically popular or fits the ideological beliefs of an elected official.
- conducts hundreds of studies a year on the viability of programs and agencies.

10. The Evolution of Health Policy LO 17
The Evolution of Health Policy LO 17.2: Describe the evolution of health policy in the United States.
Medicare – for disabled and over
Medicaid – for
Health Insurance
National health insurance first considered in 1930s.
Most people use single-payer private healthcare system.
Costs are rapidly increasing.
Click to view a table covering what Americans think about health insurance reform.
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11. Public Health
From AIDS to obesity, public policy makers have attempted to use government power to fight threats to the nation’s health.
Tools employed by the government include: immunizations, education, advertisements, and regulations.

12. LO 17.2
Public Health
Government sponsors research at National Institutes of Health.
Government plays a major role in public health management.
Photo caption: How does the government promote public health?
Advertising campaigns such as this one are one of the major ways the government promotes greater health among Americans.
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13. The Evolution of Education Policy LO 17
The Evolution of Education Policy LO 17.3: Outline the evolution of education policy in the United States.
The Foundations of Education Policy
Originally each state determined educational policies
From school houses to education
Role in political socialization in a democracy
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14. How did Title IX change education
How did Title IX change education? Title of the Education Amendments of 1972 greatly expanded educational and athletic opportunities for women. As a result of these gender equity requirements, women's lacrosse is one of the fastest growing collegiate sports.
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15. The No Child Left Behind Act
LO 17.3
The No Child Left Behind Act
NCLB intends to promote
results-oriented accountability
state and local flexibility in use of national funds
proven methods of achieving high-quality education outcomes
school choice
Click links to view a state report card and an illustration of school choice.
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16. The Evolution of Energy and Environmental Policy LO 17
The Evolution of Energy and Environmental Policy LO 17.4: Explain the evolution of energy and environmental policy in the United States.
20th century cheap fossil fuels and economic boom
Smog and other environmental problems emerge
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17. The Foundations of Energy and Environmental Policy
LO 17.4
The Foundations of Energy and Environmental Policy
Energy policy
By 1970s, U.S. dependent on foreign oil
Oil embargo crisis.
Government set conservation and efficiency standards; creates DOE
Environmental policy
National Environmental Policy Act of 1970
Clean Air Act of 1970
Clean Water Act of 1970
Safe Drinking Water Act of 1974
Click the links to view a graph showing where U.S. oil imports come from and to view a photo illustration of the oil crisis in the 1970s.
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18. Energy and Environmental Policy Hibernates
LO 17.4
Energy and Environmental Policy Hibernates
Reagan champion of deregulation
1981 National Energy Policy Plan, ended the price and allocation controls on crude oil and petroleum
Bush and Clinton do little with exception of
Clean Air Act of 1990
Energy Policy Act of 1992
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19. Energy and Environmental Policy Returns to Prominence
LO 17.4
Energy and Environmental Policy Returns to Prominence
9/11 energy policy central to national security
Increasing concern about global warming
Kyoto Protocol in 1997
States take the lead in environmental policy.
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