INSTRUCTIONS
Please answer one question in each of the three areas listed below (Public Policy; Methods and Skills; and Public Management). Take your time in planning and organizing your thoughts. Good Luck!
The exam lasts 3 hours so plan your time accordingly. Be as specific as you can in using concepts or theories, in citing authors, and in giving examples. Please write your social security number (NOT YOUR NAME) on each blue book you use and number the blue books consecutively. Write your social security number on this question sheet and return it with your blue book(s).
1. In what specific ways are administrative agencies accountable to political forces and to the public at large?
2. Arthur Okun labels the relationship between equality and efficiency "the big tradeoff." Discuss this tradeoff and its ramifications for particular policy problem with which you are familiar (e.g., environmental regulation, urban revitalization, municipal finance).
3. Define the following concepts that are used to evaluate tax policy: horizontal and vertical equity, adequacy, ability to pay, benefits received, collectibility, and economics effect. Use these concept to analyze the impact of implementing a sales or property tax in a LDC.
1. Explain the methodological issues which might arise in a study of racial and gender discrimination in the pay scales in a governmental agency. What statistical techniques might be used to address these problems? What are the advantages and disadvantages of the various techniques.
2. Explain the considerations which would be involved in selecting a sample for a survey of human service needs in a community. How would the size of the sample be determined? What sampling methods would be advisable. Assume that the population of the community is sociologically diverse.
3. In a given county, what causes an on-line mini-computer system to become slower as the number of users increase? What are alternative solutions?
1. For each of the following approaches to decision making: I) Rational-comprehensive model; II) Disjointed-incremental model:
2. The classical era of management (especially the work of Taylor, Fayol, Weber, and Gulick) has profoundly influenced public management. What have been the most significant positive and negative influences of classical era theory and practice on public management theory and practice? Use specific theories, concepts and practices to support your answer.
3. Explain the difference between rational, natural and open systems theory. What of the following three techniques is most consistent with each theory: behavior modification, long range planning, process consultation.