Interest and Decision

 For Thursday, read Stone, ch. 13 and 15.

I welcome ideas and suggestions for the next essay assignment.

Thursday's class will take place as usual.

On Tuesday, October 12, we will do class live (with recording) via Zoom.  We will resume in-person class on Thursday, October 14.

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E.E. Schattschneider:  "What happens in politics depends on the way in which people are divided into factions, parties, groups, classes, etc. The outcome of the game of politics depends on which of a multitude of conflicts gains the dominant position."

Revisiting a table from 9/16: A variation of the table on p. 239 of Stone

"Policy issues don't determine the kind of political contests that occur; instead, politics shapes the way policy issues are portrayed and perceived in the first place" (p. 241).

Policy design: broad-based benefits v. narrow benefits

• FDR and Social Security
• Disability policy

"Deserving" or sympathetic recipients

It is about perception, not just objective reality.

• Loss aversion
• Public attention

Politics also shapes the choice of venue:  

                        Federal        State                Local

Legislative            Congress            Legislatures                County/City

                                                        Initiatives                    School boards

Executive            POTUS                Governor                    Mayors/execs

                            Fed agencies        St agencies                  Local agencies/officials

Judicial                SCOTUS                State Courts                 Local courts

Choice of venue depends on:

• Legal jurisdiction
• Political advantage (influence in that box; ability to fly under the radar)