BSocSc Bachelor of Social Science Public Policy and Administration

Question 1

In the U.S. policy-making process, which stage involves translating a law into specific rules and operational programs?

Accepted Answer

Policy implementation

Answer

Policy implementation is the stage in which government agencies develop regulations, allocate resources, and build administrative systems to carry out legislation passed by Congress.

Question 2

The concept of 'bureaucratic discretion' in public administration refers to:

Accepted Answer

The authority of street-level bureaucrats to make case-by-case decisions in applying policy

Answer

Bureaucratic discretion acknowledges that front-line government workers — teachers, police officers, welfare caseworkers — inevitably make individualized decisions in applying general rules to specific situations.

Question 3

The 'iron triangle' in U.S. federal policy-making describes the relationship between:

Accepted Answer

Congressional subcommittees, executive agencies, and interest groups

Answer

The iron triangle model describes the mutually reinforcing relationships among congressional committees with jurisdiction over a policy area, the government agencies that administer it, and the interest groups that benefit from it.

Question 4

In cost-benefit analysis (CBA) used in public policy, the primary purpose is to:

Accepted Answer

Compare the total expected costs of a policy to its total expected benefits to inform decision-making

Answer

Cost-benefit analysis quantifies and compares all costs and benefits of a policy option, often in monetary terms, to determine whether a program produces sufficient net benefits to justify public investment.

Question 5

The principle of 'federalism' in the United States divides governmental power between:

Accepted Answer

The national (federal) government and state governments

Answer

American federalism distributes sovereign authority between the federal government and the 50 state governments, with the Constitution specifying federal powers and reserving remaining powers to the states under the 10th Amendment.

BSocSc Bachelor of Social Science Practice Test

BSocSc Bachelor of Social Science Practice Test

BSocSc Bachelor of Social Science Public Policy and Administration