Deck 4: Understanding the Ecology of Policy in Governmental, Electoral, Community, and Agency Settings

Question 1

Only ___________ has the power to override a presidential veto:

A) The chairperson of the Appropriations Committee.
B) Congress, with a 51% vote in each chamber.
C) Congress, with a two-thirds vote in each chamber.
D) A ballot initiative.

Answer 1

C

Question 2

While an organizational chart offers clues to internal structure:

A) It might overstate the power of specific individuals.
B) It might provide clients with insight as to who offers the best services.
C) It might indirectly provide an alternative to running an agency.
D) None of these choices.

Answer 2

A

Question 3

The 2^nd tier leaders in a legislature - the majority leader and majority whip - are powerful because they:

A) have authority to establish committees.
B) decide which measures their party will approve or oppose.
C) are responsible for drawing district lines.
D) can veto legislation.

Answer 3

B

Question 4

A state legislature is usually divided into ___ houses:

A) Two; the conservative and the liberal.
B) Two; the assembly and the senate.
C) Three; the executive, the legislative and the judicial.
D) Most state legislatures only have one house.

Question 5

In order to enact a specific reform within a community, a policy advocate would be wise to:

A) Avoid the local media.
B) Identify the single person who is in charge of that issue.
C) Enlist the support of local groups.
D) Establish a branch office in the community.

Question 6

Why would an elected official choose to invest time and funding on a certain issue?

A) That issue is important to his constituents.
B) His lobbyists already have experience with that issue.
C) He feels that that issue has been ignored.
D) That issue will help him advance politically.

Question 7

"Heads of government" are:

A) The directors of major agencies of government.
B) Elected officials who are charged with developing an administration.
C) Key legislative leaders.
D) Members of Congress.

Question 8

Intake procedures, staffing requirements, content of services and reporting mechanisms are all examples of:

A) Policy initiatives.
B) Direct service requirements.
C) Agency policies.
D) Client-centered therapy.

Question 9

Who are the three partners in an iron triangle?

A) Civil servants, legislators, and lobbyists.
B) Lobbyists, interest groups, and legislators.
C) Civil servants, legislators, and policy advocates.
D) Interest groups, social workers, and legislators.

Question 10

What is the first challenge of a non-incumbent once they have decided to enter a race?

A) Achieve name recognition
B) Raise funds to purchase media advertising
C) Get on the ballot
D) All of the above

Question 11

Political appointees are:

A) Aides of legislators.
B) High-level civil servants.
C) Appointed by the court system.
D) High-level officials who are appointed by an elected head-of-government.

Question 12

An organizational hierarchy is:

A) The internal structure of how policy is formed.
B) An explanation of the nation's judicial system.
C) Absolute power and authority.
D) The chain of command that gives high-level executives power in decision making.

Question 13

We can better understand an organization's hierarchy and the amount of power each person holds by examining:

A) The organization's budget.
B) The informal relationships among members.
C) The organizational chart.
D) All of the choices.

Question 14

Legislators possess the power to:

A) Engage in administrative oversight of governmental programs.
B) Develop, approve and reject legislation.
C) Decide the amount of appropriations for specific programs in a specific year.
D) All of these choices.

Question 15

The political economy of a social agency:

A) Has little effect on its survival and influence.
B) Is a key element to its survival and influence.
C) Has to do with the goods and services it provides.
D) Is the agency's source of income.

Question 16

How can a shoestring lobbyist shape public policy?

A) By hiring a research team.
B) By establishing a coalition with like-minded groups.
C) By bending the truth to suit their needs.
D) By working alone.

Question 17

The electoral process is highly competitive because:

A) Only one candidate can head each party.
B) Only one candidate can win the election.
C) Every candidate believes in a different cause.
D) Funding is scarce.

Question 18

After a bill has been passed in the Senate:

A) It is forwarded to the House.
B) It is forwarded to the president.
C) The House-Senate conference committee is established.
D) It is assigned to a subcommittee.

Question 19

Social agencies are affected by

A) Demographic factors.
B) Funding from the government.
C) State laws.
D) All of these affect social agencies.

Question 20

In an agency, an informal policy refers to:

A) A policy that is officially adopted through informal channels.
B) An unwritten policy.
C) A policy that is placed on agenda of a staff meeting through informal agreements.
D) A policy that is organized and prioritized based on client needs.