Public+Policy+-+Fall+2009

Fall 2009**
 * Public Policy

Same drill, but this time I want you to use your searching skills, as well as the breath of knowlegde you have built up over this semester, to find the answers for these questions. They are designed to be a bit vague so you have to use your reasoning skills to answer them.

1. Define the term public policy. Using what you have learned about each of the institutions of American government in this class, determine the impact that each branch of government has on the public policy process. Give examples.

2. Which policies have dominated Congress and the Presidency so far this year? Why these policies and not others? Explain why these policies are on the public agenda rather than others. In your opinion, are other policies more important? If so why are they not on the agenda?

3. Public policy proposals are often created and promoted by think tanks -- or public policy institutions. In Washington four of these, representing various points on the political spectrum, are [|the American Enterprise Institute], [|the Brookings Institution], [|the Cato Institute], and the [|Progressive Policy Institute]. Read through their websites and compare the various proposals they make about what policies should be promoted and the commentary they offer about current government actions.

4. Texas also has its own think tanks. Answer the same question above, but this time by reading through the websites of the [|Center for Public Policy Priorities], the [|Texas Public Policy Foundation], the [|Texas Public Policy Foundation], and [|the Irma Rangel Public Policy Institute].

Due on the due date.

At least 150 words each.