AP Government- Monday December 7, 2015
Economic and Social Welfare Policymaking (chapter 16)
Part 1- Economic Policy
What is the purpose and process of economic policy-making and how is it affected by both formal and informal institutions?
The first area of public policy we're going to examine is economic policy. We've learned that in politics, everything seems to come down to the economy. Public opinion polls consistently place the economy as a significant area of concern among voters. A politician's success can live and die by the economy. Indeed, during the 1992 presidential campaign, while the country was in the middle of an economic downturn, then Governor Bill Clinton's campaign manager coined a slogan that will forever stick in American politics: "It's the economy, stupid!". And at no time in in American history since the Great Depression has the economy and the government's role in it been so center-stage as in the 2008 election and during President Obama's first term. Thus, it is fitting we begin here.
What should be the government's role in the economy? How effective can the government be in helping to stave off or at least mitigate economic downturns and crises? These are each public policy questions.
Assignment-
Watch the prezi linked on the website. Open the economic policy organizer linked below and use the prezi and other links provided on the website to fill in the chart.
Part 2- Social Policy
What is the purpose and process of social policy-making and how is it affected by both formal and informal institutions?
Our next public policy focus is social policy policy. Simply, social policy is that which is geared towards addressing human needs, bettering the human condition, or confronting a social issue
(as opposed to an economic or security issue). Included within the realm of social policy is health care, education, poverty, labor, criminal justice, and inequality. Hot-button issues like abortion and gay marriage are also a part of social policy.
No doubt, much controversy surrounds these social issues, and the role of government in this area is no exception. What role should the United States government play in alleviating poverty?
Should the government ensure access to health care for all Americans? Should gay marriage be a state or national issue? Does the Constitution permit federal intervention in social issues at all?
All of these are the kinds of questions facing social policy makers in the 21st century.
Assignment-

Watch the prezi linked on the website. Open the social policy organizer linked below and use the prezi and other websites linked to fill in the chart.
The vocabulary for the chapter will also be linked to the website. Also, make sure and read chapter 16.
Be good.