See Special Topic Page on The FBI in American Politics
The Courts
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Justice Sonia Sotomayor and President Obama |
- Not directly involved in forming policy
- Can decide whether policy stays implemented or not
- Executive and Legislative branches will create policies that the Supreme Court will uphold
- Example: Roe v. Wade
- Abortion rights and policies varied by state before decision
- The Supreme Court decided that women have the right to an abortion
- Referred to "legislating from the bench"
- Courts can decide if policies are Constitutional
- Click here to learn more about the courts and Constitutionality
- Click here to read the paper "Going Public: The Supreme Court's Ability to Influence Public Policy Over Time" by Vanessa Baird
The Executive Branch
President Obama and Vice-President Biden after the Affordable Care Act was passed by Congress
- The President has a lot of control over public policy
- The President wants to stay in office and have a high public approval rating
- For this to happen, the President pays a lot of attention to issues the public is passionate about
- The President proposes legislation attempting to fix the issue
- Example: Affordable Healthcare
- Affordable healthcare is an issue many citizens support
- Many health care interest groups call for reform
- The issue is put on the agenda
- The issue is discussed and a bill is created
- Congress approves the bill
- Obama signs the Affordable Care Act into law on March 23, 2010
- Click here to read about Obama's agenda
Click here for a youtube video explaining the relationship between the President and Public Policy
Information on the President's powers in foreign affairs
The Legislative Branch
- Congress also has a lot of control over public policy
- Members of Congress need to have the people's support to stay in office
- Topics are supported by many citizens
- Popular issues get on the agenda
- Members of Congress discuss how to fix the issue
- Bills are proposed to make the "solutions" permanent
- The proposed bills undergo discussion in Congress
- Once approved, the President can sign the bill into law
Click here for a lesson plan on how to write Bills
Go to GovTrack to monitor the legislative activities of Congress.
The Bureaucracy
- Considered part of the Executive Branch
- Bureaucracies are supposed to enforce the policies that are created
- There are theories that claim bureaucracies have an effect on policy making through iron triangles and issue networks
- Iron Triangle
- Alliance of people from a congressional subcommittee, executive agency that enforces laws on the issue concerned, and private interest groups
- These three groups of people often know each other and can move within the groups
- They make policies that serve their own interests
- Issue Networks
- Group of people who support a particular issue
- An iron triangle can be part of an issue network
- The networks can also include media, experts, or generally anyone who has influence and a passion for an issue
- When all the members of an issue network come together, they can shape policy
- Click here for more information
- Click here for more information
Click here for a lesson plan on iron triangles and issue networks
Link to resources on policy making in the federal system
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