SSCI 1200U Lecture Notes - Lecture 2: Public Choice, Incrementalism

• School: UOIT
• Department: Social-Science
• Course: SSCI 1200U
• Professor: Matthew L.Stein

Document Summary

State (government) primarily develops policies to promote capitalism or market growth: focus on roads, infrastructure, etc. Occasionally, government will develop some policies to help those in the working/subordinate class (i. e. healthcare), but only to keep their working class at a capacity to continue production. Society forms itself into groups based on common interests. Societal groups can apply pressures to government to either make specific policy changes, or focus on particular areas to develop more policies. Individuals act in their own self-interest: maximize overall gain and minimize losses (beneficence vs. non-maleficence) Political parties develop and promote policies based on the perceived needs and interests of the majority of the population. Politicians: want votes to get into power and stay in power. Bureaucrats: control information and delivery of programs without being elected. Interest groups: mobilizes supporters (electorate) to push for specific causes. Media: presents ideas and issues of politicians towards the electorate.