Week 1

Question 1

What is public policy

Answer 1

• They are actions of the government and intentions that determine those action.
• They are activities by different bodies, drawn together into stable and predictable patterns of action
• They are actions and inaction of the government and other equivalent authority (weible). Example of non action is tobacco
• Decisions by governments to retain the status quo

Question 2

According to the textbook what is public policy?

Answer 2

Public policies are actions taken by governments and their agents to deal with [a jurisdiction’s] problems

Question 3

Characteristics of public policy?

Answer 3

• Political issues/policy issues are inevitable and inherent
• Policies are constructed from conflicting ideas from political actors

Question 4

What is federalism

Answer 4

-It is division of power between national (federal) and subnational (provincial) governments with neither having sovereignty over the other.

Question 5

State the three aspects of public policy in pension policy

Answer 5

• Goals: Overarching goals that guide policy in particular field eg Preventing elderly poverty
• Instruments: Techniques or policy instruments used to attain those goals eg Cash, PAYGO, RRSPs
• Setting: Precise setting of those instruments eg Deduction limit, OAS/CPP payment

Question 6

Questions when examining policy are?

Answer 6

• Jurisdiction
• Stage in policy cycle
• Theories it reflect
• Goals/Instruments/Settings
• Societal change