Question

Public Policy Policy Monitoring and Analysis Your Name __________________________________ Policy Analysis Topic (Be specific, should be current or a policy under consideration at your local, state, or national level. Include the full name of the policy. If it is a legislative bill, include the title and the number, such as H.R. 1189 Undersea Cable Control Act.): _____________________________________________________________________ Write your analysis in essay format. Be sure to answer the following questions in your analysis: What is the policy intended to do? (Explain the purpose of the current or proposed public policy.) What are the policy’s direct and external costs and benefits for different groups of people? (Explain who benefits and who bears the costs of the current or proposed policy, and how. Include third-party costs and benefits.) What is your recommendation regarding the current or proposed policy? (Identify whether you support the policy, support it with changes (be specific), or reject it.) What are the reasons for and the evidence to support your recommendation? (Explain your reasoning with specific, verifiable facts and details.) Be sure to include MLA-style citations for your sources of information.

Answer 1

The policy being analyzed in this essay is Affirmative Action. The essay examines the policy's purpose, costs and benefits, recommends supporting it with changes, and provides reasons and evidence to support the recommendation.

Step-by-step explanation:

Public Policy Analysis: Affirmative Action

A current policy under consideration is Affirmative Action. Affirmative Action is a policy that aims to promote diversity and equal opportunity in education and employment by providing preferential treatment to historically disadvantaged groups. The policy's intended purpose is to address past and present discrimination and ensure equal representation and access to opportunities for underrepresented groups.

The policy's direct benefits include increased diversity, equal representation, and expanded opportunities for historically disadvantaged groups. However, it also has direct costs, such as potential reverse discrimination and challenges to merit-based selection processes. External costs may include backlash or resentment from those who feel disadvantaged by the policy.

My recommendation regarding Affirmative Action is to support it with changes. While it has played an important role in promoting equality, there is a need to refine the policy to ensure fairness and avoid unintended consequences. Implementing measures to address potential reverse discrimination and making the selection process more nuanced and holistic would strengthen the effectiveness of the policy.

My recommendation is based on the following reasons and evidence:

1. Research has shown that diverse environments benefit society as a whole and lead to better problem-solving, innovation, and creativity.
2. Studies have also found that Affirmative Action policies have led to increased representation and improved opportunities for underrepresented groups.
3. However, criticisms of the policy, such as reverse discrimination, highlight the need for changes to address these concerns and ensure fairness.