Public Policy

Sample Solution

   

Domestic public policy: The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA)

Stage of the policymaking process: Problem definition

Rationale: The ARPA was passed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, which had a devastating impact on the U.S. economy and public health. The problem definition stage of the policymaking process is essential for developing effective policies, as it involves identifying the root causes of the problem and the desired outcomes of the policy.

Full Answer Section

    Theoretical explanation: The ARPA can be explained using the elite theory of politics. Elite theory posits that power is concentrated in the hands of a small group of people, who make decisions on behalf of the general public. In the case of the ARPA, the elite group that defined the problem and designed the policy was made up of policymakers, economists, and public health experts. Elite theory assumptions:

• Power is concentrated in the hands of a small group of people.
• Elites make decisions on behalf of the general public.
• Elites are motivated by self-interest and the interests of their group.

How elite theory assumptions help explain the ARPA: The ARPA was designed to address a number of problems caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, including economic hardship, unemployment, and public health risks. The elite group that designed the policy was motivated by the need to protect the economy and public health, as well as the interests of their constituents. For example, the ARPA included provisions that provided direct payments to individuals, extended unemployment benefits, and funded vaccine distribution. Evidence that supports the elite theory explanation of the ARPA:

• The ARPA was passed by Congress, which is a representative body that is dominated by the wealthy and powerful.
• The ARPA was designed by a group of policymakers, economists, and public health experts, who are all members of the elite.
• The ARPA includes provisions that benefit a wide range of stakeholders, including businesses, workers, and families.

Other theoretical perspectives: The ARPA can also be explained using other theoretical perspectives, such as group theory and rational choice theory.

• Group theory: Group theory posits that people are organized into groups that have shared interests. These groups compete with each other to influence public policy. In the case of the ARPA, the groups that had the most influence on the policy were businesses, labor unions, and advocacy groups for the poor and unemployed.
• Rational choice theory: Rational choice theory posits that people make decisions based on a cost-benefit analysis. In the case of the ARPA, the policymakers who designed the policy weighed the costs and benefits of different policy options and chose the option that they believed would be most effective in addressing the problem.

Conclusion: The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 is a complex piece of legislation that was designed to address a number of problems caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The problem definition stage of the policymaking process was most significant in the development of the ARPA, as it involved identifying the root causes of the problem and the desired outcomes of the policy. The elite theory of politics provides a useful framework for understanding the motivations and decisions of the policymakers who designed the ARPA.