Air Midterm

Relax. This “air midterm” does not count toward your grade; do not even turn it in. Instead, use it to appraise your own progress in the course. Try out this test, either in your head or on paper.If you flounder, then you should take more care with class sessions and assigned readings.

I. Identifications. Explain the meaning and significance of the following items. What is fair game for an identification?

• Items that we have discussed in class or on the blog;
• Items that appear in bold or italics in the readings;
• Items that cover several pages in the readings.

1. Compstat
2. Subgovernments
3. The Peter Principle
4. Federal Register
5. Surgeon General
6. "The overhang'
7. Infant safe havens
8. "Internalities"
9. Federal advisory committees
10. FTC
11. Sensitivity analysis
12. Choice architecture

II. Short answers. Each reply should take a brief paragraph.

1. Describe the difference between "outputs" and "outcomes," with concrete examples.
2. "Defense spending has skyrocketed over the past 25 years!" "Defense spending is consuming far less of our resources than it did 25 years ago!" How can both statements be true?
3. Briefly describe Bardach's "eightfold path."

III. General Essays

1. Do all issues go through the issue-attention cycle? Explain.
2. "Policy causes politics," says Peters. Explain.
3. Why do Fritschler and Rudder take a positive view of the bureaucracy's discretionary authority? How would a critic respond?

IV. Bonus questions (one point each) Very briefly identify the following:

Joseph Califano

Joycelyn Elders

Michael Cudney

Abner Mikva

John Banzhaf