Kamark's Framework
What are 'inside' vs. 'outside' players in policy change?
Inside players are formal institutions (Congress, courts); outside players include media, activists, and interest groups.
Who are 'advantaged' groups in Schneider & Ingram’s typology?
Groups seen positively and with power—e.g., veterans.
What are 'resource effects' in policy feedback?
Changes in material resources or access caused by policy.
What’s the first step in Bardach’s Eightfold Path?
Define the problem.
What policy did President Reagan reframe using the term 'welfare queen'?
Welfare programs.
What is the 'scope of conflict' and why does it matter?
The scope of conflict refers to how many actors are involved in a policy issue. Expanding it can shift power and influence outcomes.
What kind of policies are designed for 'deviants'?
Punitive, blame-heavy policies.
Describe one 'interpretive effect' of the G.I. Bill.
It framed government as a partner in opportunity.
Name three criteria used to evaluate policy alternatives.
Cost-effectiveness, equity, political feasibility.
What institutional barrier is most associated with the Senate?
The filibuster.
Give one reason the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act did not pass.
Despite public support, it faced institutional veto points and lack of bipartisan backing.
Why are single mothers often constructed as 'dependents'?
They are seen as sympathetic but politically
Which policy reduces civic participation: G.I. Bill or Voter ID laws?
Voter ID laws.
Why is it important to construct real alternatives?
Decision-makers need viable options.
What is one lesson from the Student Loan Default memo?
Communications strategies matter in reaching borrowers.
What role do elections play in Kamarck’s framework?
Elections can shift power balances, creating or closing policy windows.
What group is typically seen as 'contenders'?
Corporations—powerful but viewed negatively.
How can policy reinforce political identity?
Policies send signals about belonging and worth.
What step helps anticipate unintended consequences?
Project the outcomes.
Which framework helps us understand how power and perception shape who gets benefits?
Social Construction of Target Populations.
True or False: Public opinion alone is often enough to push a policy through.
False
How does social construction affect policy design?
It shapes who benefits or is punished and how policies are framed.
What does it mean to say policy 'teaches'?
Policy shapes how people see government and their role in it.
What does 'tell your story' mean in policy writing?
Make your analysis persuasive and clear through narrative.
How did the Affordable Care Act pass in 2010?
Democrats held unified control and acted during a policy window.