Reference no: EM133709878

Assignment:

1. What are some of the major economic disparities in the United States? What do you think creates some of these disparities?
2. How did mortgage, credit, and regulatory policies contribute to the most recent economic crisis? What were these policies intending to achieve?
3. How has the government responded to the economic crisis? Who were the main actors behind the government's response?
4. Who makes economic policies in the United States?
5. What government actions make public policies?
6. Why and how do the political parties differ on policies, particularly on the budget, the deficit, and unemployment?
7. How do interest groups and public opinion influence policymaking?
8. What are the reasons for policy stability and policy change? What kinds of things can lead to dramatic changes in policy?
9. How does the debate over how to reduce the deficit and create jobs reflect the different philosophies of the two major parties? Which party's philosophy makes more sense to you?
10. What were the main changes in welfare policy?
11. What are the main problems with Social Security, and what are the proposals to rectify them?
12. What are the strengths and weaknesses of No Child Left Behind?
13. What are the differences between Medicare and Medicaid?
14. What are the significant provisions of the health-care law enacted in 2010?
15. What led the federal government to consider major changes to its welfare, social security, education, and health-care policies? What were the obstacles to change in each case?
16. What major issue do you think the government needs to take action on? What factors do you think prevent the government from acting?
17. What are the five stages of the policymaking process?
18. What issue can you think of that has been brought to the public attention by media coverage? How does the media depict the policymaking process in the United States? Why do you think the media portray it that way?