The+formation+of+policy+agendas



Policy Problems

 * As discussed in the previous section, policy problems are issues or concerns that the citizens believe the government should correct.
 * Policy makers then evaluate all sides of the problem, and decide the most appropriate course of action.
 * Lawmakers choose which problems can be fixed and they become issues, which require government attention.


 * Policy Example: Children's Well-Being**
 * [|Kids Count State by State Rankings 2014]from Kids Count Data Center uses a 16 item index of child well-being including economics, education, health and family and community.


 * Policy Example: Foreign Policy**
 * ** See American Government 4.3 for foreign policy powers of Congress and the President **



How Do Issues Become Part of an Agenda?

 * Attention from the press
 * Major events (9/11 brought attention to terrorism, defense, security and other important topics)
 * Pressure from the citizens for the government to become involved
 * Debates on Constitutionality
 * The effects of not taking action
 * Is it different from topics already on the agenda?

Why Are Some Issues are Ignored?

 * Change would negatively impact the powerful and lose support for politicians
 * Issues in the private sector or out of jurisdiction
 * Not enough public support
 * Challenges to tradition or too controversial
 * Temporary issues

Types of Agendas

 * Systematic (discussion)
 * The issue has the attention of the public
 * Powerful groups agree that the issue is of concern
 * The groups involved in the discussion have jurisdiction over the issue
 * Should the government intervene in the issue?[[image:resourcesforhistoryteachers/Occupy_Wall_Street_spreads_to_Portland.jpg width="480" height="291" align="right" caption="The Occupy Wall Street movement called for a reform of economic policy "]]
 * Institutional (action)
 * The government is prepared to intervene
 * What agency's agenda does the issue belong to
 * What actions should the government take?

Who Can Set the Agenda?
>> ====
 * Pluralist Theory
 * Many different groups and people help to set the agenda
 * There is always room for competing groups, interests, and policies
 * Elitist Theory
 * People in power determine the agenda
 * Money controls policies and agendas
 * Use their power to benefit themselves
 * Institutional Theory
 * Legislature and bureaucracies control the agenda
 * Individuals do not benefit directly from the policies
 * Social interests do not have a large impact on policies

Presidential Agenda

 * Presidential agendas include the goals and stances on the issues
 * President Obama's Agenda
 * President George W. Bush's Freedom Agenda
 * OnTheIssues.org: read about Presidential stances and actions

Click here for a PBS news hour story on Obama and his agenda after his second inauguration Click here for a lesson plan on the Public Sphere and the influence on policy agendas
 * Click here for the "We the People" section on the White House website.**
 * On this section, anyone can start a petition and if it reaches 100,000 it receives a response from the government.
 * Click here to read the responses.

Sources: 1. Prezi by Allyson Colangelo 2. Policy Formation: Problems, Agendas, and Formulation by James Anderson 3. California State University Long Beach, Women and Public Policy