List and explain the differences between the elite, bureaucratic, special interest, and pluralist theories of public policy formation
What will be an ideal response?
Answer: An ideal response will:
1. Describe elite theory in terms of societies being divided into elites and masses. The elites have power to make and implement policy, while the masses simply respond to the desires of the elites. Elite theorists believe that an unequal distribution of power in society is normal and inevitable.
2. Describe bureaucratic theory as dictating that all institutions have fallen under the control of a large and ever-growing bureaucracy that carries out policy using standardized procedures, empowering bureaucrats at the expense of elected officials.
3. Describe special interest theory in terms of interest groups that control the governmental process.
4. Describe pluralism in terms of political resources that are scattered so widely that no single group could ever gain monopoly control over any substantial area of policy.
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During his tenure as the governor of Texas Governor George W. Bush never called the legislature to a special session
Indicate whether the statement is true or false.
Answer the following statement(s) true (T) or false (F)
1. Presidents have more influence on policy in president-parliamentary regimes than premier-presidential regimes: 2. Single-party majority governments survive in office longer than other types of government in parliamentary democracies. 3. Minority governments are more common in parliamentary regimes than presidential ones. 4. A preelectoral coalition is a collection of parties that do not compete independently at election time.