Connecting the Policy Agenda

to the Issue Makers

Connecting the Policy Agenda to the Issue Makers
Understanding how the issue makers help set the public agenda and affect either
change or retention of the status quo assists you in recognizing the continual causeeffect-cause nature of what you encounter in the study of government, and in
particular, politics. When you have practice identifying each element-the
participants, the linkage institutions, the issues that get on the policy agenda and
those that do not, and the government actors and agents, you are more likely to be
able to explain what occurs. The following includes suggested explanations of the
process and a sample activity that provides practice in recognizing the connections.
The model on the next page is a modification to one provided by Barbara Sampson
of the Episcopal School of Dallas. The major change comes in the spiraling effect,
and to borrow a term from Stephen Krashens work on language acquisition,
comprehensible input +1. Rather than being solely circular, it has an expanding
effect when input is successfully heard and acted on, while it can become circular if
the participants are ineffective. If the latter is the case, the participants either
regroup and mount another campaign or disband and seek a new cause. Furthermore,
Krashen explains the anxiety level has an effect on either willingness or ability to
engage in processing the material, which he termed the affective environment.
Politicians, like learners, become less receptive to change or making decisions on
issues if they happen to be distressed or anxious about perceived outcomes,
especially when the official is in election mode. This reaction may have a negative
impact and may result in the official moving in a direction opposite what the
pressure group desires.
The political science observations derive from the work of Dahl, Easton, and
Lineberry in the systems analysis aspects, Schattschneider in the conflict aspect,
and Lasswell in the process component. The purpose of the model rests solely on
providing you, the student of American government, with a framework for thinking
about the very complex series of relationships and outcomes that occur on a daily
basis.

Connecting the Policy Agenda to the Issue Makers

Created by Lori Dumerer, 2005, revised 2012

Comprehensible input +1

Regroup Coalitions

Public Opinion

Coalitions

Participants:
*issue!!

Comprehensible input
Tools to communicate:
Letters, demonstrations,
reports, marches..

Individual
Groups
Organizations

Ineffective
or
Policy Impact

Public Policy
Output

Conflict
intensifies

Linkage Institutions:
Interest Groups
Media
Political Parties
Voting

Effective

unintended
consequences

Another level or
element of issue

Affective Filter

High level-negative
Low level-positive
Government:
Congress-statutes
President-executive orders/decisions
Courts-opinions
Bureaucracy-rules & regulations

election
worries ??

Policy Agenda:
Domestic Issues
Foreign Affairs
[Public & Private Debate; i.e., before camera
& behind closed doors]

What constitutes the conflict?

2