POL 313 Environmental Policy Notes 5
Science and Agenda Setting: Keller- Keller takes a different approach to defining the agenda and
uses a phases model. Keller makes the case that setting the agenda is a somewhat ill-defined
process. - Everyone may participate in the process, even scientists. Fuzzy agenda framing and
objective information provide scientists an edge and a distinct role to play in science policy.
Scientists can influence the agenda in a manner that others cannot, and even when they don't
want to, they always do so when crafting policy. Create an agenda. 1. Scientific claims aren't
merely objective; they're both normative and empirical (shapefor how it ought to) 2. The truth
does not speak for itself. Scientists' conceptual frameworks imply that the government. What
should be done to solve the issue? 3. Initially as well as framing exercises. Priming activates the
mental process for certain behaviors in other people's minds and develops organically via
repetition. Keller discusses "issues" with the environment: Problems imply that action and
resolution are required.
Pielke Chapter:a. The same concepts of a trustworthy broker appear. 5. Re/distribution (Lowi
typology) 6. Frontier knowledge: advance with understanding of how the world functions and
that border, not at the center. 7. The precautionary principle states that even while scientists may
not be able to predict the exact nature or scope of the environmental issue, they must take action
as a community to solve it. We as a society can no longer wait for anything to happen before
taking action. Steven Luke, Faces of Power No. 8 sa. ability to enforce compliance b. Agenda
management b. Ideological repression 9. Details regarding the early years Institutions of
Government and Environmental Policy (physical places) Context: 1. Elections: Majority
Congress history of esa a. One or two-party governments.
Shorter recently: the president claims that since 2000, there have been no positive coattail
effects, which used to make it simpler for the president to get things done. d. During the
honeymoon phase, make every effort to complete tasks since there will never be a better chance.
The midterm elections are often the least ideal time to complete tasks (loss of seats). 2. Public
opinion shifts, causing events to occur in policy windows Intertua: state of affairs c. ethical pani
cd. incremental transformation: little steps at a time socioeconomic shift a. Values in
post-materialism a. The business cycle c. The workplace is thought to be a "trade-off,"
notwithstanding claims to the contrary. green careers 4. Regulatory federalism- Represents how
power is distributed within the government. Devolution: shifts power from the federal to state
levels. It is up to state regulators to enforce. Political culture: distrust of central authority. Having
a federal structure says there are minimum protections that cannot be taken away by state action,
but they can build on it. - Race to the bottom: States compete with one another to attract
businesses to their states by enacting less stringent environmental regulations, which is
frequently a welfare policy. Laboratories of democracy: To demonstrate that when policies are
successful in one state, they may also be successful in other ones.
permits the development of policies with a local emphasis, allowing for the improvement of the
environment and the people in a certain area. The three branches of government—executive,
legislative, and judicial—are separated in terms of authority and subject to checks and balances.
1. Congress: budget; legislative branch As Congress drafts legislation, a number of things might
go wrong. Continuing Budget Priority: Limited Resources, Endless Possibilities for Spending
scarcity a. A lack of knowledge of scientific concerns i. Committee composition Reverse elitism:
They don't know much about science and make it worse that because they don't know much it's
not a problem. i. CEOs always have an edge here because they can recruit specialists. ii.
Decentralized committee authority Turf battles, shifting of blame, and ego/personality conflicts
Ecological Strategy and Hierarchy: Law implementation is the job of bureaucrats; knowledge is
required so that it may be translated into real politics, but this isn't always the case. bureaucrats'
civil service safeguards - The Max Weber Model of bureaucracies: PERFECT BUREAU - A
clear line of command is necessary so that everyone follows it and performs their duties. - They
should gain knowledge in certain fields of competence - Clear regulations (standard operating
procedures): according to the stereotype, these rules exist to check the authority of bureaucrats,
which is why we often oppose them. - Ideal: always have a plan in place - Scope of control: Each
bureaucratic office has some level of power over policy. - Merit: No discrimination in hiring or
firing; judgments based on educational attainment, ability to do the job, and work ethics. -
General message: be impartial in politics and serve the people. Issues the administration
perceives and causes include: 1. No one is held accountable for deliberate attempts to enact
policies through bureaucratic sabotage; 2. Bureaucratic capture: a watchdog without fangs.
Those in charge of departments that deliberately disregard policy can be deliberated upon by
those in authority. rotating door i. Relationships in the Iron Triangle: interest groups, cueracy,
and congress committees 1. Mutually beneficial and helpful to all 3. Rent-seeking: Using your
position to gain access to resources you wouldn't normally have. Government monopoly services
like wills and driver's licenses lack competition. Seek bribes from individuals to avoid being too
controlled (graft) Red tape is a means for bureaucrats to impose restrictions on the general
populace while ostensibly limiting government. But, they employ it to influence individuals.
