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American Public Policy

American Public Policy. Numbers and Causes Political Science 316 Mark Stephan. Last Class and Today’s Class. Symbols – telling stories, using metaphors Numbers, Measurements Causal theories, the politics of causes. Numbers.

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American Public Policy

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  1. American Public Policy Numbers and Causes Political Science 316 Mark Stephan

  2. Last Class and Today’s Class • Symbols – telling stories, using metaphors • Numbers, Measurements • Causal theories, the politics of causes

  3. Numbers • Why are numbers so important for problem definition? (standard view) • Categorizing • Numbers as metaphors, numbers as norms

  4. Counting is political? • You have a 75% chance of being crazy if you believe this is true….. • Agenda-setting • Clarity • Creating boundaries • Offering the promise of resolution • Symbols of Precision and Objectivity

  5. Measurements • Measuring people versus peas, candy, or bombers • Evaluating “government performance” • “The power to measure is the power to control” – what does this mean? • If all of this is true, are numbers even useful? My take…….

  6. Causal Theories • Actions, Consequences • Mechanical • Intentional • Accidental • Inadvertent • Examples……..

  7. Causal Theories • Complex Causes? • Complex Systems • Institutional • Historical • It was an “accident”……

  8. Politics of Causes • Why does knowing the cause matter politically? • Examples • Policy implications • My take: politics, causes, and complexity

  9. Policy issues…..News Flash • L.A. fires – what’s the cause • Rural poverty in 1960? Rural poverty now?

  10. Preview of Next Class • Chapters 9 and 10 • Give special attention to the idea of a “Hobson’s choice” and to the “free-rider problem”

  11. If there’s time…… • My “hanging chad” email…..and my politics…..

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