Deck 5: Policy Theories

Question 1

Which of the following statements about Social Constructivism is/are correct:

A) Social Constructivism is a result of society constructing populations, determining their social needs, and providing public policy solutions.
B) Social Constructivism is a result of how societal groups construct themselves, determine their group needs, and provide public policy solutions.
C) Social Constructivism occurs in the environment and results from tension arising from two conflicting principles.
D) All of the above
E) None of the above

Answer 1

D

Question 2

Which of the following statements about Diffusion is/are incorrect?

A) Dissemination of tested and proven models is the heart of diffusion
B) Diffusion models include: leader-laggard, vertical, and internal determinants
C) Diffusion rarely occurs
D) Diffusion allows jurisdictions to learn from each other
E) Diffusion occurs when jurisdictions adopt ideas from jurisdictions that are similar or topic leaders

Answer 2

C

Question 3

Which of the following statements about Innovation is/are correct?

A) Innovation refers to new ideas or policy approaches to address current public problems.
B) Innovation refers to the use of proven and tried approaches to address current public problems.
C) Innovation rarely occurs
D) CMS test linking care coordination with decreased costs

Answer 3

A,B,D

Question 4

Which of the following statements about Multiple Streams problem identification and potential solutions is/are correct?

A) The problem in Multiple Streams is usually ambiguous
B) Throughout the initial process the problem is defined and redefined
C) The potential solutions in Multiple Streams are clear and apolitical
D) The potential solutions in Multiple Streams are debated within the affected communities and public literature and take on a political tone
E) Once a policy solution is defined, the debate ceases

Question 5

Which of the following statements about Punctuated Equilibrium Theory is/are incorrect?

A) Individuals and organizations can parallel process
B) Punctuated Equilibrium Theory is built on Simon's work on serial processing, parallel processing, and bounded equilibrium
C) Punctuated Equilibrium Theory posits that most policy activity is static and in equilibrium and punctuated by periodic flurries of activities.
D) Punctuated Equilibrium Theory graphically demonstrates leptokurtic, positively skewed activity
E) Punctuated Equilibrium Theory posits incrementalism for most policy development

Question 6

Which of the following statements is/are incorrect about the Network Approach?

A) Focuses on how groups gather around specific issues
B) Focuses on the commonality of the cause, knowledge, and values
C) Uses the iron triangle as a current model
D) Results in the development of subgovernments
E) These groups are self-organizing & self-governing

Question 7

Characteristics of Issue Action groups include all of the following EXCEPT:

A) Geographic description
B) Policy variables
C) Dissolution or reorganization of groups after policy issue addressed
D) Disruptive events; e.g., national elections or crises
E) Disruptive shocks, e.g., changing ideas, values, & knowledge

Question 8

Which of the following statements is/are incorrect about the Advocacy Coalition:

A) The model for this framework has changed frequently since its inception
B) Deals with "wicked problems" and important technical disputes
C) Premise: understanding policy change takes at least a decade
D) Premise: most useful way to think about policy change is through policy subsystems
E) Premise: public policies can be conceptualized in the same manner as belief systems

Question 9

The Advocacy Coalition model includes:

A) Relatively stable parameters
B) Internal system events
C) Policy subsystems
D) Internal (system) events
E) Constraints and resources of subsystem actors

Question 10

Institutional Rational Choice includes the following characteristics:

A) How groups behave, develop values, and are governed
B) Action arena
C) Patterns of interaction
D) All of the above
E) None of the above

Question 11

Discuss how innovation and diffusion affect policy

Question 12

Discuss how population groups are defined and positioned within the policy process

Question 13

Discuss how population groups are defined and positioned within the policy process

Question 14

Discuss how leaders can influence and position their influence in the policy process.

Question 15

Discuss how to bring the theoretical models together.