PPOL 511 Political Institutions, Processes and P
This course is an introduction to the political environment - the institutions and processes - that shape public policy. The basic legal context is defined by the Constitution with its articulation of separation of powers and federal structure of government. The political context involves the roles of public opinion, media, think tanks, political parties and interest groups. All these institutions interact with each other as the legislative and executive branches of government identify problem areas, articulate alternative solutions, adopt a policy through negotiations, bureaucratic routines are developed to implement and evaluate it, and the courts may review it.