MR. LIPMAN’S AP GOVERNMENT
POWERPOINT CHAPTER 17
SOCIAL WELFARE POLICY
• Social Welfare Policy is the intent of the
government to improve the quality of life for
its citizens. There are 4 different types of
public policy theories:
1. Elite Theory (unequal distribution is normal)
2. Bureaucratic Theory (gov’t so big bureaucrats
are the dominant power)
3. Interest Group Theory (gov’t is equilibrium
between all competing groups at all levels)
4. Pluralist Theory (no single elite group)
• Public Policy is determined in stages:
–1. Problem recognition and definition
–2. Agenda Setting
–3. Policy Formation
–4. Policy Adoption
–5. Budgeting
–6. Policy Implementation
–7. Policy Evaluation
The stages of public policy
______ theory assumes that no single group could
ever gain monopoly control over any substantial
area of policy.
•
•
•
•
•
pluralist
elite
bureaucratic
interest group
democratic
______ theory assumes that no single group could
ever gain monopoly control over any substantial
area of policy.
•
•
•
•
•
pluralist
elite
bureaucratic
interest group
democratic
SOCIAL WELFARE POLICY
• Panic of 1893 makes America 1st start to think
gov”t has responsibility to help those in need.
• Depression of 1930s greatly expanded upon
this belief and led to the formation of the
permanent welfare state in America. It’s
highlighted by the Social Security Act of 1935.
• SOCIAL SECURITY HAS THREE PARTS:
– 1. Old Age Protection
– 2. Aid for the blind, needy, injured, families w/kids
– 3. Unemployment insurance/compensation
Old Age Protection is a “pay as you go system”
meaning you are paying now for others who are
receiving it and that in the future others will pay
for you when you are receiving it. (“good luck”)
• Old Age Protection (con’t):
– In 1940 maximum pension was $85 per month
– In 2012 maximum pension was $2,513 per month
In 2013 a social security tax is imposed upon the
first $113k of an employees wages. The employer
and the employee are normally each required to
contribute 6.2% of the tax amount due.
If self-employed you need to pay the entire 12.4%
yourself.
• Aid for Blind, Needy, Families with dependent
children and disabled (SSI)
– This is supplemental money provided by the federal
government as a “safety net” to prevent disaster
– In 2012 poverty line in America for a family of 4 was
established at $22,350 up to $41, 348
Unemployment Insurance was initially set up by
the federal government but it was “assumed” by the
states. Employers pay 3% of a worker’s salary into an
insurance fund. The amount received by each worker
varies by state and there is a cap.
EXPANSION OF GOVERNMENT’S ROLE IN SOCIETY
• 1. Education (vouchers and charter schools)
– Supreme Ct. has ruled that issue of inequality of
spending on education is a state matter since
education is NOT a fundamental right
• 2. Health Insurance
– Medicare (older citizens)
– Medicaid (poorer citizens)
• 3. Food Programs (ex: food stamps aka “snap”)
• 4. Earned Income Credit (encourage work
even if earning low wages)
• Energy policy
– By 1970s, U.S. dependent on foreign oil
– Oil embargo crisis (OPEC)
– Government set conservation and
efficiency standards; creates DOE
• Environmental policy
– National Environmental Policy Act of 1970
– Clean Air Act of 1970
– Clean Water Act of 1970
– Safe Drinking Water Act of 1974
Where do U.S. oil imports come from?
The Kyoto Protocol, which committed countries to
reducing greenhouse gas emissions, was ratified by
the U.S. in ________.
•
•
•
•
•
It was never ratified.
1997
1998
2000
2008
The Kyoto Protocol, which committed countries to
reducing greenhouse gas emissions, was ratified by
the U.S. in ________.
•
•
•
•
•
It was never ratified.
1997
1998
2000
2008
Today, most of the electricity in the United States is
generated by
A.wind farms.
B.hydroelectric dams.
C.nuclear power plants.
D.natural gas.
E. coal burning plants.
Today, most of the electricity in the United States is
generated by
A.wind farms.
B.hydroelectric dams.
C.nuclear power plants.
D.natural gas.
E.coal burning plants.
NCLB intends to promote all of
the following EXCEPT
•
•
•
•
•
privatization of education
school choice
success educational methods
flexible use of national funding
results-oriented accountability
NCLB intends to promote all of
the following EXCEPT
•
•
•
•
•
privatization of education
school choice
success educational methods
flexible use of national funding
results-oriented accountability
A National insurance was first seriously considered in
________.
•
•
•
•
•
the 1930s
the Reagan administration
the 1960s
1912 under President Wilson
2008
A National insurance was first seriously considered in
________.
•
•
•
•
•
the 1930s
the Reagan administration
the 1960s
1912 under President Wilson
2008
MEANS TEST = No aid given unless the
recipient qualifies based on
income.
NON-MEANS TEST = A program which gives the
aid regardless of the income of the recipient.
ENTITLEMENT PROGRAM= If you meet the
eligibility criteria you are to receive the
benefit and spending on the program is
mandatory
RISING COST OF ENTITLEMENT PROGRAMS
• Amounts Spent in Billions of Dollars:
(FEDERAL)
2003
2005
2011(est.)
S.S.
470
519
722
Defense
404
473
499
Means-Test
306
356
454
(entitlements)