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21 Cards in this Set

  • Front
  • Back

What is Public Policy?

- public policy is a course of action taken by public officials that seeks to address a problem that has gained public attention


- issues become politicized or be placed in the public policy agenda


- public officials figure out how to deal with issues seen as politically important

Why did public policy become important?

- negative state - government does not act


- positive state - government will now act


- greater demand for government to act, more social movements, industrialization, urbanization, maintain economy, escape depression


- cannot escape the state

What are the policy cycles for making public policy?

1. initiation phase: government addresses a politicized or pressing issue



2. Priority setting: government decides to, or not to, take action. If they do, they choose a policy instrument to achieve the objective : taxes, public info campaigns



3.Policy formulation: policy details are worked out and the Cabinet asks the bureaucracy to consult various departments, advocacy groups, experts and get opinions



4. Legitimation: bill is introduced to Parliament and scrutinized by legislature while opposition introduces amendments to raise concerns



5. Implementation: bureaucracy formulates a policy's regulatory aspects



6. Interpretation: Policy may be challenged by courts and then the judiciary interprets the policy

Why are advocacy groups good?

- convince governments on courses of action


- they represent a constituency that can help them get re-elected


- offer expertise

What are policy communities?

- advocacy groups, corporations, experts, government departments who operating in a policy area (health, natural resources)


- a lead government agency will open the discussion with other groups


- advocacy groups are legitimate actors who governments can work with

What are policy networks?

- actors that focus specifically on a policy field


- consulted for expertise


- to bring volunteers into the policy making process (civic engagement)

What is the bureaucracy?

- organized hierarchy


- implements policies


- reservoirs of expertise as they are long-serving bureaucrats and masters of politicians


- advise politicians


- rules based - procedures are followed and decisions are made by ticking off boxes


- permanent


- impartial

How is the Bureaucracy organized?

- pyramid-like with a minister at the top


- DM assist ministers and head departments


- DM are assisted by associate deputy ministers who are assigned to specific initiative


- Departments are divided into more units and headed by assistant deputy ministers (ADM)


- units are divided and senior managers support ADMs

How do the DM relate to the ministers?

- makes the minster look good


- liase with the ministers and advises them


- responsible for daily duties and to ensure the department fulfills its duties to those interested and affected by the department

How is the bureaucracy more representative?

1. bilingualism



2. pay equity



3. employment equity

Spenders v.s Guardians

- guardians (finance board and TBS) : control the purse strings



- spenders : departments who want their budgets increased



- constant battles



- finance and treasury board are powerful departments due to their function

What are Crown Corporations?

- government owned operations


- operate like a private corporation but perform a public service (don't turn a profit)


- aren't subject to certain rules as departments


- can receive money from government, but the greater the self-sufficiency, the greater the autonomy

What are administrative agencies?

- regulatory in their functions


- administrative agencies not attached to the executive


- source of info for MPs

How are bureaucracies kept in line?

1. the executive can make proposals when the bureaucracy is being obstructive



2. financial control and personnel control



3. The senate and house scrutinize regulations and wasting money



4. judiciary overturn bureaucrats; decisions



5. watchdog agencies like the auditor general and ombudsmen open up the bureaucracy

What are advocacy groups and how do they affect policymaking?

- bring attention to issues


- play a role in agenda-setting


- narrow interests


What types of Advocacy groups are there?

institutionalized: permanent, focus on long-term, highly organized



issue-oriented: temporary, short-term, group goes once issue is resolved, lacks organization

What determines the success of advocacy groups?

1. access to government


2. money


3. information


4. commitment of members


5. popularity of the cause


6. nature of the opposition

Who do advocacy groups target?

1. The PM and the Cabinet


2. Parliament, standing committees, opposition


2. Bureaucracy

What are lobbyists?

- people who receive payment in order to meet with public officials and influence policy making or to obtain a government contract

Why is it important to register lobbyists?

- inform the public on who is trying to influence the government


- tier 1: paid to meet directly with public officeholders


- tier 2: pressure groups and in house employee who communicate with public officeholders on behalf of organization

What are some deficiencies in the Lobbying Act?

- secret lobbying is permitted


- do not have to disclose activities if you are not being paid


- emails are not recorded


- not everyone has to be registered