Q.1 Which of the following best defines public policy?
Random government actions
Systematic decisions taken by government
Individual opinions of citizens
Judicial interpretations only
Explanation - Public policy refers to deliberate decisions and actions taken by the government to address specific public issues.
Correct answer is: Systematic decisions taken by government
Q.2 Who is often considered the father of public policy analysis?
Max Weber
Harold Lasswell
John Locke
Woodrow Wilson
Explanation - Harold Lasswell is regarded as the father of public policy analysis for his pioneering work in integrating social sciences into policymaking.
Correct answer is: Harold Lasswell
Q.3 In comparative governance, the term 'policy cycle' refers to:
Repeating election campaigns
Phases of policy-making process
Judicial review of policies
Budget cycles
Explanation - The policy cycle refers to stages such as agenda-setting, formulation, adoption, implementation, and evaluation of policies.
Correct answer is: Phases of policy-making process
Q.4 Which stage of the policy cycle focuses on identifying issues requiring government attention?
Agenda setting
Implementation
Evaluation
Adoption
Explanation - Agenda setting involves selecting issues from a range of societal problems that will be addressed by policymakers.
Correct answer is: Agenda setting
Q.5 Which of the following is a distinguishing feature of comparative governance studies?
Focus on only one country
Cross-national analysis of institutions
Ignoring cultural differences
Studying personal leadership styles
Explanation - Comparative governance involves analyzing and comparing institutional structures and policies across multiple countries.
Correct answer is: Cross-national analysis of institutions
Q.6 What does 'policy implementation' involve?
Passing new laws
Translating policies into action
Public protests
Designing electoral rules
Explanation - Policy implementation is about putting government decisions into practical effect through programs and regulations.
Correct answer is: Translating policies into action
Q.7 Which governance model emphasizes efficiency, effectiveness, and managerial practices in public administration?
Traditional Public Administration
New Public Management
Public Choice Theory
Marxist Theory
Explanation - New Public Management (NPM) emphasizes applying private sector management principles to public administration for better efficiency.
Correct answer is: New Public Management
Q.8 Which of the following is an example of redistributive policy?
Tax cuts for corporations
Welfare programs for the poor
Environmental regulation
National defense spending
Explanation - Redistributive policies transfer resources from one group to another, as in welfare programs.
Correct answer is: Welfare programs for the poor
Q.9 In comparative politics, which method is commonly used to evaluate public policies?
Literary analysis
Case studies and cross-national comparisons
Personal interviews only
Archaeological surveys
Explanation - Public policy evaluation in comparative politics often uses case studies and cross-national comparisons to identify best practices.
Correct answer is: Case studies and cross-national comparisons
Q.10 Which term refers to the unintended effects of a public policy?
Policy outcomes
Policy outputs
Policy feedback
Policy externalities
Explanation - Externalities are unintended side effects, positive or negative, resulting from public policies.
Correct answer is: Policy externalities
Q.11 Which of the following is a regulatory policy?
Food safety laws
Subsidies to farmers
Public housing schemes
Scholarship programs
Explanation - Regulatory policies set rules and restrictions, like food safety standards, to guide behavior.
Correct answer is: Food safety laws
Q.12 Policy evaluation mainly seeks to:
Repeal existing laws
Assess the effectiveness of policies
Elect representatives
Set up new institutions
Explanation - Policy evaluation determines whether the goals of a policy were met and how effectively they were achieved.
Correct answer is: Assess the effectiveness of policies
Q.13 The concept of 'good governance' often includes principles such as:
Opacity, centralization, exclusion
Transparency, accountability, participation
Secrecy, hierarchy, rigidity
Isolation, sovereignty, monopoly
Explanation - Good governance emphasizes openness, accountability of officials, and public participation in decision-making.
Correct answer is: Transparency, accountability, participation
Q.14 Which institution plays a primary role in policymaking in parliamentary systems?
The Supreme Court
The Cabinet
The Army
Civil Society
Explanation - In parliamentary systems, the Cabinet (executive branch) is central in formulating and guiding public policies.
Correct answer is: The Cabinet
Q.15 Incrementalism in policymaking suggests that:
Policies are radically changed at once
Policies are created randomly
Policies evolve gradually in small steps
Policies never change
Explanation - Incrementalism argues that policies often change through gradual adjustments rather than radical reforms.
Correct answer is: Policies evolve gradually in small steps
Q.16 What is the primary focus of comparative governance?
Studying military strategies
Examining business operations
Analyzing systems of rule across nations
Writing constitutions
Explanation - Comparative governance looks at similarities and differences in how countries are governed.
Correct answer is: Analyzing systems of rule across nations
Q.17 Which policy model emphasizes the role of bargaining among interest groups?
Institutional model
Group model
Elite model
Rational model
Explanation - The group model views policy as the outcome of competition and bargaining among organized interest groups.
Correct answer is: Group model
Q.18 The World Bank’s concept of governance emphasizes:
Economic isolationism
Rule of law and accountability
Military strength
One-party dominance
Explanation - The World Bank stresses governance as involving rule of law, efficiency, and accountability in managing public affairs.
Correct answer is: Rule of law and accountability
Q.19 Which policy is primarily distributive in nature?
National defense spending
Taxation system
Environmental regulations
Scholarship schemes
Explanation - Distributive policies allocate resources or benefits to specific groups, such as scholarships to students.
Correct answer is: Scholarship schemes
Q.20 In federal systems, policymaking authority is typically:
Concentrated in the central government
Shared between central and regional governments
Exercised only by courts
Left entirely to citizens
Explanation - Federalism divides power, giving both national and subnational governments authority in policymaking.
Correct answer is: Shared between central and regional governments
Q.21 Street-level bureaucrats are:
High-level ministers
Local politicians
Frontline public service workers
Civil society activists
Explanation - Street-level bureaucrats (like teachers, police officers) implement policies in direct interaction with citizens.
Correct answer is: Frontline public service workers
Q.22 Which approach to policy-making emphasizes logical analysis and cost-benefit evaluation?
Rational model
Elite model
Group model
Institutional model
Explanation - The rational model assumes decision-makers use logical reasoning and cost-benefit analysis to choose optimal policies.
Correct answer is: Rational model
Q.23 What role do think tanks often play in public policy?
Electing representatives
Providing research and policy recommendations
Managing schools
Drafting judicial opinions
Explanation - Think tanks supply policymakers with data, analysis, and innovative solutions to policy problems.
Correct answer is: Providing research and policy recommendations
Q.24 A comparative study of welfare states often examines:
Military expenditure
Social security and health systems
Trade balances
Tax avoidance
Explanation - Welfare state studies compare how different countries provide social benefits like pensions, healthcare, and unemployment support.
Correct answer is: Social security and health systems
Q.25 Which principle is central to participatory governance?
Military control
Citizen involvement in decision-making
Exclusion of minorities
Judicial supremacy
Explanation - Participatory governance emphasizes direct involvement of citizens in shaping policies that affect them.
Correct answer is: Citizen involvement in decision-making