, INTRODUCTION: GOVERNMENT, POLITICS, AND THE
POLICYMAKING PROCESS
CHAPTER OUTLINE
The Importance of Government
Government and Politics
The Policymaking Process
The Context of Policymaking
Agenda Setting
Policy Formulation
Policy Adoption
Policy Legitimation
Policy Implementation
Policy Evaluation
Policy Change
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
After studying the introduction, students should be able to answer the following
questions:
How does government affect the lives of individuals as well as a society as a
whole?
What is the difference between government and politics?
What are the stages of the policymaking process?
CHAPTER OVERVIEW
THE IMPORTANCE OF GOVERNMENT
Politics and government have enormous influence over all Americans, regardless of their
station in life. Government affects us through regulations, taxes, and services. If we understand
how it works, we will be better equipped to take advantage of the benefits and services
government provides and to prepare ourselves to live effectively under government regulation
and taxation.
Philosophical questions about the role of government, the kinds of services it should
provide, and what limits should be placed on it are addressed by individual preferences. Knowing
how government influences our lives helps us frame responses to these philosophical questions.
GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS
, Government is the institution with the authority to set policy for society. What
government does is inherently political; government and politics are intertwined.
Politics is the way in which decisions for a society are made and considered binding most
of the time by most of the people. The concept of politics is broader than the concept of
government because it involves competition among nongovernmental actors, such as voters, the
media, interest groups, and political parties.
THE POLICYMAKING PROCESS
The public policy approach is a method for studying government and politics that focuses
on the process through which government decision-makers respond, or fail to respond, to an
issue. This approach is useful to students because it focuses attention on what government
actually does rather than just describe structures and organization. The approach also provides a
good mechanism for organizing political information.
The Context of Policymaking
Policymaking occurs within an environment defined by complex factors outside of
government itself. The issues government addresses, the kinds of responses it is willing to
consider, and the resources available to the government depend on international, cultural,
demographic, economic, constitutional, and political environments. The public policy process has
five stages through which issues can be traced and discussed.
Agenda Setting
Agenda setting is the process through which problems become matters of public
concern and government action. The politics of agenda building involves government
officials and groups outside of the government competing to determine which issues and
problems will be addressed.
Policy Formulation
Policy formulation involves the development of strategies for dealing with the
problems on the official policy agenda. Both government officials and political actors
outside of government (such as interest groups, political parties, and the media) are
involved.
Policy Adoption
Policy adoption is the official decision of a government body to accept a
particular policy and put it into effect. Policies are adopted through the legislative
process. Additionally, courts, government agencies, and government actors can adopt
policies.
, Policy Legitimation
Policy legitimation refers to the actions taken by government officials to ensure
that most citizens regard a policy as a legal and appropriate government response to a
problem.
Policy Implementation
Policy implementation is the stage of the policy process in which policies are
carried out by both governmental and nongovernmental actors and agencies.
Policy Evaluation
Policy evaluation is concerned with the assessment of policy, involving questions
of equity, efficiency, effectiveness, and political feasibility.
Policy Change
Policy change refers to the modification of policy goals and means in light of new
information or shifting political environments. Policy change is the result of policy
evaluation.
KEY TERMS
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
Gross Domestic Product (GDP)
Government
Politics
Public Policy
Policymaking Process
Agenda Setting
Policy Formulation
Policy Adoption
Policy Legitimation
Policy Implementation
Policy Evaluation
Policy Change
LECTURE SUGGESTIONS AND ACTIVITIES
Government is an important institution in all nations of the world. To be
effective and legitimate, government must perform vital functions that are
deemed essential by those who live in that society. As an institution,
government is made up of the people who occupy positions with authority to
set and enforce the laws for society. To achieve its goals, government officials
possess the power to enforce their actions. There are many different types of
governments in the world today. Political scientists often classify them on the
basis of who controls political power and how, and in whose name it is
exercised. Consider beginning the semester by leading students in a discussion
POLICYMAKING PROCESS
CHAPTER OUTLINE
The Importance of Government
Government and Politics
The Policymaking Process
The Context of Policymaking
Agenda Setting
Policy Formulation
Policy Adoption
Policy Legitimation
Policy Implementation
Policy Evaluation
Policy Change
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
After studying the introduction, students should be able to answer the following
questions:
How does government affect the lives of individuals as well as a society as a
whole?
What is the difference between government and politics?
What are the stages of the policymaking process?
CHAPTER OVERVIEW
THE IMPORTANCE OF GOVERNMENT
Politics and government have enormous influence over all Americans, regardless of their
station in life. Government affects us through regulations, taxes, and services. If we understand
how it works, we will be better equipped to take advantage of the benefits and services
government provides and to prepare ourselves to live effectively under government regulation
and taxation.
Philosophical questions about the role of government, the kinds of services it should
provide, and what limits should be placed on it are addressed by individual preferences. Knowing
how government influences our lives helps us frame responses to these philosophical questions.
GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS
, Government is the institution with the authority to set policy for society. What
government does is inherently political; government and politics are intertwined.
Politics is the way in which decisions for a society are made and considered binding most
of the time by most of the people. The concept of politics is broader than the concept of
government because it involves competition among nongovernmental actors, such as voters, the
media, interest groups, and political parties.
THE POLICYMAKING PROCESS
The public policy approach is a method for studying government and politics that focuses
on the process through which government decision-makers respond, or fail to respond, to an
issue. This approach is useful to students because it focuses attention on what government
actually does rather than just describe structures and organization. The approach also provides a
good mechanism for organizing political information.
The Context of Policymaking
Policymaking occurs within an environment defined by complex factors outside of
government itself. The issues government addresses, the kinds of responses it is willing to
consider, and the resources available to the government depend on international, cultural,
demographic, economic, constitutional, and political environments. The public policy process has
five stages through which issues can be traced and discussed.
Agenda Setting
Agenda setting is the process through which problems become matters of public
concern and government action. The politics of agenda building involves government
officials and groups outside of the government competing to determine which issues and
problems will be addressed.
Policy Formulation
Policy formulation involves the development of strategies for dealing with the
problems on the official policy agenda. Both government officials and political actors
outside of government (such as interest groups, political parties, and the media) are
involved.
Policy Adoption
Policy adoption is the official decision of a government body to accept a
particular policy and put it into effect. Policies are adopted through the legislative
process. Additionally, courts, government agencies, and government actors can adopt
policies.
, Policy Legitimation
Policy legitimation refers to the actions taken by government officials to ensure
that most citizens regard a policy as a legal and appropriate government response to a
problem.
Policy Implementation
Policy implementation is the stage of the policy process in which policies are
carried out by both governmental and nongovernmental actors and agencies.
Policy Evaluation
Policy evaluation is concerned with the assessment of policy, involving questions
of equity, efficiency, effectiveness, and political feasibility.
Policy Change
Policy change refers to the modification of policy goals and means in light of new
information or shifting political environments. Policy change is the result of policy
evaluation.
KEY TERMS
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
Gross Domestic Product (GDP)
Government
Politics
Public Policy
Policymaking Process
Agenda Setting
Policy Formulation
Policy Adoption
Policy Legitimation
Policy Implementation
Policy Evaluation
Policy Change
LECTURE SUGGESTIONS AND ACTIVITIES
Government is an important institution in all nations of the world. To be
effective and legitimate, government must perform vital functions that are
deemed essential by those who live in that society. As an institution,
government is made up of the people who occupy positions with authority to
set and enforce the laws for society. To achieve its goals, government officials
possess the power to enforce their actions. There are many different types of
governments in the world today. Political scientists often classify them on the
basis of who controls political power and how, and in whose name it is
exercised. Consider beginning the semester by leading students in a discussion
