MAPP501 - WEEK 5 - WEEKLY READING NOTES

MAPP501: Week 5 – Theories of
Policy Making
American Public University




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,Course Objectives:...........................................................................................6
Theories of the Policy Process: Chapter 10 – A Comparison of Theories of the
Policy Process..................................................................................................7
📘 Purpose of the Chapter............................................................................7
🔍 Criteria for Comparison............................................................................7
1. Elements of a Theory.............................................................................7
2. Active Research Program.......................................................................7
3. Explanatory Power of the Policy Process................................................8
🧩 Theories Compared..................................................................................8
🔹 Multiple Streams Analysis (MSA)...........................................................8
🔹 Punctuated Equilibrium Theory (PET)....................................................8
🔹 Advocacy Coalition Framework (ACF)...................................................9
🔹 Social Construction Framework (SCF)...................................................9
🔹 Policy Feedback Theory (PFT)...............................................................9
🔹 Narrative Policy Framework (NPF).........................................................9
🔹 Institutional Analysis & Development (IAD)........................................10
🔹 Diffusion of Innovations (DOI).............................................................10
🧠 Conclusion..............................................................................................10
APA Citation:..................................................................................................11
An Overview of Approaches to the Study of Public Policy..............................12
📘 Purpose of the Paper..............................................................................12
🧭 Definition of Public Policy.......................................................................12
🧠 Major Theoretical Approaches to Public Policy.......................................12
🔹 1. Elite Theory.....................................................................................12
🔹 2. Group Theory..................................................................................13
🔹 3. Systems Theory...............................................................................13
🔹 4. Institutional Theory.........................................................................14
🔹 5. Incremental Theory.........................................................................14


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, 🔹 6. Rational Choice Theory...................................................................14
📌 Conclusions............................................................................................15
📚 APA Citation...........................................................................................15
The United States Constitution:.....................................................................16
Preamble.....................................................................................................16
Article I – The Legislative Branch................................................................16
Section 1..................................................................................................16
Section 2..................................................................................................16
Section 3..................................................................................................16
Section 4–6...............................................................................................16
Section 7–10.............................................................................................17
Article II – The Executive Branch.................................................................17
Section 1..................................................................................................17
Section 2..................................................................................................17
Section 3–4...............................................................................................17
Article III – The Judicial Branch....................................................................17
Section 1..................................................................................................17
Section 2..................................................................................................17
Section 3..................................................................................................18
Article IV – Relations Among States............................................................18
Sections 1–2.............................................................................................18
Section 3–4...............................................................................................18
Article V – Amendment Process..................................................................18
Article VI – National Supremacy..................................................................18
Article VII – Ratification...............................................................................18
Structure & Principles.................................................................................19
Significance & Legacy.................................................................................19
Theories of the Policy Process: Contemporary Scholarship and Future
Directions.......................................................................................................19
📘 Overview................................................................................................19
🧱 Established Theories of the Policy Process.............................................20

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