Comparative and International Policy
V182 Comparative and International Policy Afoaku
Answer question #1 and two additional questions on the list. Points will be awarded for thoroughness,
clarity and good organization. Limit the length of each essay to 3 to 3.5 double-spaced pages. To avoid
plagiarism, be sure to cite your sources properly throughout your essays. Copying and pasting the
instructor’s notes or the text book is not acceptable. In other words, you are strongly advised to express
yourself in your own words. Question #1 is worth 40% and the rest of the questions are worth 30% each.
DUE DATE: THURSDAY, APRIL 7, 9:00 pm ET. PLEASE, SUBMIT YOUR EXAM ON CANVAS. NO EMAILS!!!
1. Explain the meaning of cross-national policy learning with reference to the United States and
Western European countries. Second, discuss the benefits of cross-national policy learning.
Thirdly, with reference to any policy issue discussed in class, discuss why it is often difficult for
American policy makers to apply this principle. Be sure to specify the factors that militate against
cross-national policy learning in the American public policy system.
2. Explain the meaning of the term political regime. Which of the political regimes discussed in class
would you associate with the United States and Britain? Secondly, discuss the main differences
between the American and British political systems with reference to election of the Chief
Executive and legislature. Finally, discuss the effect of party discipline on how law makers vote in
the British parliament and US Congress.
3. Explain the meanings of the term “welfare state” from the perspectives of the liberal and social
democratic welfare state models. Be sure to discuss the social vision or ideology associated with
each model. Finally, with reference to childcare compare the roles played by the state and private
sector in the provision of goods and services in the context of each welfare state system.
4. Explain the terms ‘spheres of well-being’ and ‘decommodification’ in the context of Sweeden’s
social democratic welfare state. Secondly, explain how a Swedish social democrat would justify
decommodification of childcare. Thirdly, suggest how a liberal democrat at Washington would
approach the same issue. Based on class discussion, be sure to suggest in detail reasons why US
policy makers would apply or reject decommodification as a public policy principle.
5. Provide a brief explanation of the term postindustrialism as discussed in class. Second, discuss in
detail the changes associated with this phenomenon in the context of advanced industrial
democracies. Finally, discuss the effect of postindustrialism on the voting behavior of the middle
class in those countries. Be sure to specify policy issues that appeal to the middle class and their
preferred methods of putting those issues on government agenda.