AUGUST 2001
Proposed Questions:
First Half (general). choose one of the following essay questions:
I.
There is substantial disagreement about both the inception and the development
of the US welfare state relative to other industrialized nations. Using the
substantive scholarship from Skoepol. Skowronek. Pierson, and Howard and the
more process oriented scholarship of scholars such as King-don (1995) and Baumgartner
and Jones (1993) analyze the extent to which the United States is a laggard
welfare state or why rc otherwise has distinctive policies. How have distinct
elements of the US policy process contributed to this exceptionalism?
2.
Political institutions are mare than "repositories' for public policy. First,
provide a general definition of a political institution-then analyze how infra-and
inter-institutional relationships create the policy process we observe. What
elements of these arrangements and politics bring into relief such democratic
principles as will of the majority, protection of minority rights. From a nonnative
perspective, do IJ.S institutional politics efficaciously enact the will of
the rnajority. What are the costs of this efficacy?
3. How does US federalism reshape American public policy? Does it enhance or detract from an ability to enact public policy that is sensible and reflects public opinion or does it create opportunities by which policy makers enact a myriad of policies that result in a collectively irrational or counterproductive amalgam?
Second Half: choose one of the following
I
. How responsive is the US public policy process to public opinion? How do media
translate citizen preferences and is the role of tire media uni-directional
in the development of policy? How do the institutional arrangements among branches
and levels of government reshape the role of public opinion on policy development?
Does this differ based on the policy area?
2.
The United States relies more heavily on regulation in a variety of areas and
less heavily on taxation and direct expenditures in its public policies in a
variety of areas including health care, education, and energy. Is this relative
emphasis the result of institutional politics or does it derive from a collective
preference for regulation or a collective antipathy toward taxation?
Public
Policy
Family Policy Question
The "Breakdown" of the traditional American family is a perception held by some.
There is a dispute over the significance of this development. There are disagreements
about the causes and effects of this development. Prescriptions for policy vary
widely. Analyze this debate including a discussion of how the debate plays out
respectively in the Democratic and Republican patties.