explain which of the above models (A or B) is a better model of public policy (defined as who gets what, when and how much).

GV924

Public Policy

Final Report 

Instructions: In order to get full marks, you must cite at least six different articles, book or chapter from the class readings to substantiate your arguments. Your final report should be at least 2000 words or 8 pages. This means that each question should be approximately 2 pages (double-spaced) each.  WARNING: Using sources outside of the class reading list will result in a reduction of your grade. Please only consult items on the course syllabus.

Consider the following two approaches to the study of public policy:

Model A: Legislative scholars recognize that legislative output is affected by the legislature’s institutional design. Let us assume that the goals are to avoid chaos and to enhance welfare. Toward these goals there are many variations. Strong committees (Shepsle and Weingast 1987), strong ruling parties (Cox and McCubbins 2004), institutions fostering legislative exchange (Weingast and Marshall 1988) and a strong agenda setter (Dahm and Glazer 2015) all can contribute to the interests a legislature’s members (see also Krehbiel 2004).

Model B: The relationship between executives and domestic groups can also be seen as an ongoing set of bargains between principals and agents. Their relative bargaining power determines the degree of autonomy or "agency slack" enjoyed by the executive with respect to her preferred policies. Domestic constituents impose constraints on executives, who need to maintain sufficient support to adopt and sustain policies. Where such constraints are tight, the executive has little control over the outcome. Where constraints are loose, the executive can `shirk’ tasks assigned by societal groups and can pursue policies closer to her own ideal.

i.In your own words, explain which of the above models (A or B) is a better model of public policy (defined as who gets what, when and how much). You must cite at least two articles, book or chapter from the class readings to substantiate your argument. (25 marks)

ii.Given your model selection (either A or B), write a research design paper on how you would go about empirically evaluating whether your selected model on one of the three topics from the class: ideas and policy networks, governance, lobbying and bureaucracy.  Explain the topic that you picked and why you think model A or B is most suitable for analysis. You must cite at least two articles, book or chapter from the class readings to substantiate your argument.  (25 marks)

iii.Which empirical methods would you choose to empirically evaluate the case given your model (for example discourse network analysis or another methods that we discussed in class). What is the main independent variable and the main dependent variable? What dataset would you use? What are the limitations of this data (if any). You must cite at least two articles, book or chapter from the class readings to substantiate your argument. (25 marks)

iv.Consider the implications of your study for the real world and the potential findings of the results.  How would your findings advance theory in the field of public policy? What  conclusions that address strengths and limitations of your work and questions for future research. (25 marks)