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Institutions and the Enactment of Policy

Page history last edited by Robert W. Maloy 4 years ago


See Special Topic Page on The FBI in American Politics

The Courts


 

Justice Sonia Sotomayor and President Obama
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

 

President Obama Appaulds after the Affordable Care Act is 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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