Political Science Department
Spring 2007
Public Policy
Minor field comprehensive examination
Directions: Read and follow the directions in each section. You are required to answer two questions to
complete the exam.
Section One: Answer one of the following questions.
(1) During the 1990s, the popular press viewed divided government as a source of “gridlock”
that prevented the development of solutions to pressing national problems. More recently,
divided government has been presented as an important check on Presidential power. What do
scholars think about divided government? Specifically, how do scholars define divided
government? What effect, if any, is divided government thought to have on policymaking? (In
answering this question be sure to assess the empirical evidence Mayhew has developed as well
as the work of other scholars who have reacted, both positively and negatively, to Divided We
Govern).
(2) Policy scholars have studies the agenda setting process in great detail. Explain the basis in
theory and evidence for the significance of agenda setting as a source of power and influence
over public policy. However, since the President, the House, and the Senate must approve
identical bills in order for proposed legislation to become law, have political scientists
exaggerated the significance of agenda setting? Why or why not?
Section Two: Answer any one of the following questions.
(3) Explain, discuss, and critique the following statement: “Policy making in the U.S. is
dominated by subgovernments commonly characterized as iron triangles.” Do you agree or
disagree with the statement? (If your answer follows the sensible middle-road and claims that
there are circumstances in which the statement is more likely to be true… please explain the
circumstances that would lead you to expect the statement to be true and the circumstances that
would lead you expect the statement to not be true). Does the statement suggest that iron
triangles and subgovernments are synonymous? Do you agree or disagree? Why?
(4) Assess the extent to which street-level bureaucrats influence public policy. Who are streetlevel bureaucrats? What are the sources of power they enjoy in the policymaking process? What
factors constrain the exercise of that power? Provide an example of a policy in which you would
expect street-level bureaucrats to exert significant influence. Provide a second example of a
policy in which you would expect street-level bureaucrats to have little influence. Comparing
your examples, what factors would you identify as the most important opportunities and
constraints facing street-level bureaucrats in the policymaking process?
(5) Critics such as Dryzek and Majone have argued that mainstream policy analysis is
“undemocratic.” Explain the basis of these criticisms and evaluate their merits by discussing the
role of policy analysts in democratic government. What is the proper role of policy analysts in a
democracy? Why do critics argue that mainstream policy analysis is undemocratic? How do the
critics want to reform the practice of policy analysis? Do you agree or disagree with the critics
and their agenda for reforming policy analysis? Why?