Public Policy

Values Review and Intro to Public Policy Questions

Ms. Flores

Multiple Choice

Illinois should require that every voter bring a state photo ID with them in order to vote, even though many poor people don’t have a photo ID or would have to take a bus to get it from home (currently in Illinois voters show proof of residency when they register to vote, then just sign their name to get their ballot on election day)

WHAT VALUE SUPPORTS THIS STATEMENT?

• Consent of the Governed 

• Equality 

• Law

• Rugged Individualism 

Multiple Choice

Illinois should require that every voter bring a state photo ID with them in order to vote, even though many poor people don’t have a photo ID or would have to take a bus to get it from home (currently in Illinois voters show proof of residency when they register to vote, then just sign their name to get their ballot on election day)

WHAT VALUE OPPOSES THIS STATEMENT?

• Consent of the Governed

• Equality

• Law

• Rugged Individualism

Multiple Choice

The United States should stop giving unemployment payment to people who have lost their job.

WHAT VALUE SUPPORTS THIS STATEMENT?

• Welfare

• Dignity 

• Rugged Individualism 

• Liberty/Freedom

Multiple Choice

The United States should stop giving unemployment payment to people who have lost their job.

WHAT VALUE OPPOSES THIS STATEMENT?

• Welfare

• Community

• Rugged Individualism

• Liberty/Freedom

Multiple Select

1852: Mary should hide runaway slaves in her basement even though the Fugitive Slave Act requires her to turn them in to authorities.

WHAT VALUE SUPPORTS THIS STATEMENT? (Hint--there are two that could work here)

• Dignity 

• Liberty 

• Law

• Authority

Multiple Select

1852: Mary should hide runaway slaves in her basement even though the Fugitive Slave Act requires her to turn them in to authorities.

WHAT VALUE OPPOSES THIS STATEMENT? (Hint--there are two that could work here)

• Dignity 

• Liberty 

• Law

• Authority

Multiple Select

Family members should not be forced to testify against their relatives in court.

WHAT VALUE SUPPORTS THIS STATEMENT?

• Dignity 

• Loyalty

• Law

• Community

Multiple Select

Family members should not be forced to testify against their relatives in court.

WHAT VALUE OPPOSES THIS STATEMENT?

• Dignity 

• Loyalty

• Law

• Community

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We just reviewed values in conflict by examining various sides of different statements.

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​Notice that when we did our values scenarios yesterday (our outdoor work), they were all posed as questions.

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​All the questions on your handout from yesterday began with the word "Should..."

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​Here's an example:

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​Should the governor issue a mask mandate?

​The question about masks is a Public Policy Question

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​Public Policy Issues usually start with the word “should” and ask what the whole society (represented by government) or a large social institution (like public schools or the police) ought to do. 

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Examples: Should the United States outlaw the death penalty?

Should the governor mandate masks in public places?

Multiple Choice

Which of the following represents a Public Policy Question?

• Is the freedom of the majority more important than equality for the minority?

• Do religious minorities feel left out if the majority has a prayer?

• Is it a Christian prayer if it mentions God, but not Jesus

• Should public schools be allowed to have a Christian prayer at Graduation?

Open Ended

Write your own public policy question. (Hint: start it with "Should."  Make sure it is about something that has various viewpoints. Make sure it is about some sort of potential government or school action)

​Definitional Issues

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Definitional Issues ask questions that hinge on the meaning of a word that people often disagree about; the words tend to be common ones, like “equality" or “large” or “friendly.”

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These words often need clarificaion and a common understanding before moving on in discussion.

Example: By “crime” do we include misdemeanors or only offenses that are eligible for the death penalty? 

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​Definitional Issues continued

​Let's go back to our "Should the governor issue a mask mandate" public policy question.

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​Definitional issues could include:

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​What do we mean when we say masks are "effective"? Does it mean we don't get sick at all or it reduces our risk?

Multiple Choice

Which of the following represents a Definitional Issue?

• Is the freedom of the majority more important than equality for the minority?

• Do religious minorities feel left out if the majority has a prayer?

• Is it a Christian prayer if it mentions God, but not Jesus

• Should public schools be allowed to have a Christian prayer at Graduation?

Open Ended

Let's go back to our public policy question "Should the governor issue a mask mandate in public places?"

Give both a YES and a NO reason with the corresponding VALUE on each side. (You do not need to express which side you agree with)