I would like you to watch the following video to help you conceptualize the policymaking process. I think this video will help put things in perspective.

http://video.pbs.org/video/1468710007/ "Obama's Deal" I want you to pay close attention to the politics, external environment, interactive and interdependency and cyclical nature of this deal. Let me know what you think about the video.

I would also like you to respond to the following questions:

1. More Broadly, do you think formulation, implementation, or modification is most challenging? Explain?

2. What does it mean when Longest states that policymaking in an open system?

3. What are some of the advantages and disadvantages ofpolicymaking's politicization?

4. Evaluate how much influence interest groups have on agenda setting. Do you think lobbying and electioneering should have more or fewer restrictions? Why?