1. Describe the "life cycle" of public policy making.

2. Why do media, individuals, and books have such a strong influence on the public agenda? Do they have the same influence on the formal agenda?  Why or why not?

3. What were the circumstances surrounding President Clinton's approval of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996? How is this an example of the interaction between real world politics and legislative priorities?  Will the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 reduce poverty in the long run?

4. What factors and events have led to the increasingly global nature of the U.S. economy? How is it changing the nature of democracy with respect to international economic policies?  Do these events represent an approach to democracy? Why or why not?