Question 1

A program like TANF, which provides cash assistance to families below a certain income level, is an example of a ________ program.

Accepted Answer

A program like TANF is redistributive because it takes resources from those in higher income brackets and provides them to those in lower income brackets.

Question 2

According to the provisions of the 2010 Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, ________.

Accepted Answer

The 2010 Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act mandates that all Americans obtain health insurance by 2018 or face penalties. This is known as the individual mandate. However, there are certain exemptions and subsidies available for those who cannot afford health insurance.

Question 3

In the twentieth century, states' social programs became ________ autonomous from the federal government and ________ in size.

Accepted Answer

In the twentieth century, states' social programs became less autonomous from the federal government due to increased federal involvement and regulations, and they grew larger in size as governments expanded social welfare programs and services.

Question 4

What is TANF?

Accepted Answer

TANF stands for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, which is a federal program that provides temporary financial assistance to low-income families.

Question 5

What are social policies intended to bring about?

Accepted Answer

Social policies are intended to create a more just and orderly society by addressing issues such as poverty, inequality, education, healthcare, and civil rights. The focus is on promoting social welfare and improving the well-being of all members of society, particularly those who are disadvantaged or marginalized. While economic efficiency and growth may be important factors, the primary goal of social policies is to create a fair and equitable society where all individuals have the opportunity to thrive.

Question 6

Aside from health care expenses, federal programs to aid the poor have never exceeded ________ of the federal budget.

Accepted Answer

Federal programs specifically designed to aid the poor, excluding healthcare expenses, have historically been a small portion of the federal budget, generally not exceeding 3 percent.

Question 7

________ policies are designed to provide a basic level of income, safety, education, housing, and health care to certain categories of people at risk.

Accepted Answer

Social policies are designed to provide a basic level of support to certain categories of people at risk, such as the elderly, disabled, and low-income individuals. These policies aim to address inequalities and promote social welfare. Economic policies, on the other hand, focus on promoting economic growth and stability. Regulatory policies aim to regulate and control certain industries or activities. Compassionate and progressive policies may also overlap with social policies but are not as commonly used terms in this context.

Question 8

While most people agree that ________ is a welfare program, there is some debate about whether ________ should be included in that category.

Accepted Answer

The phrase "welfare program" typically refers to government-provided support for individuals or families with low incomes or other needs, which would include direct assistance programs such as food stamps, TANF, and housing subsidies. While there may be some debate about whether healthcare should be provided by the government or through private means, it is not traditionally considered a direct form of welfare assistance. Therefore, choice E is the best option as both direct assistance and healthcare are commonly considered welfare programs.

Question 9

Currently, Medicaid is only available to those who fall below a certain income threshold. If President Obama's health care reforms had expanded the program so that Medicaid covered every U.S. citizen, it would no longer be considered a ________ program.

Accepted Answer

Medicaid is a means-tested program, meaning that eligibility is based on one's income or assets. If it covered every U.S. citizen, it would still be means-tested, just with a higher income threshold. It would not change the fact that eligibility is based on one's means. The other answer choices do not accurately describe Medicaid, as it is not regressive, need-based, or social. It could be considered progressive in the sense that it provides assistance to those in need, but that is not the best answer choice.

Question 10

All of the following public goods come from social policies EXCEPT ________.

Accepted Answer

National defense is considered a public good, but it is not typically derived from social policies. Social policies usually focus on welfare, health, and education services.

Question 11

Federal support for public education is a ________.

Accepted Answer

Federal support for public education uses revenue from progressive income taxes to provide support for services for low-income children, making it a redistributive social policy.

Question 12

Redistributive policies typically benefit ________; distributive policies usually benefit ________.

Accepted Answer

Redistributive policies aim to shift resources from some groups to others for the purpose of reducing economic inequality. As a result, specific groups such as low-income individuals or marginalized communities tend to benefit from these policies. On the other hand, distributive policies aim to allocate resources or benefits to a broader population, often for the purpose of creating social harmony or improving overall welfare. Therefore, nearly everyone is likely to benefit from distributive policies.

Question 13

States are most likely to have fairly consistent laws regarding ________, while laws related to ________ are more likely to vary by state.

Accepted Answer

Violent crimes are generally defined consistently across states, while the death penalty laws vary significantly from state to state, with some states having abolished it and others enforcing it.

Question 14

What is a welfare state?

Accepted Answer

A welfare state refers to a country that has a set of government programs and policies designed to promote social welfare and protect citizens from economic and social risks. This includes services such as healthcare, education, housing, unemployment benefits, and other forms of social security. The percentage of the budget allocated towards these programs may vary by country, but it is not necessarily tied to a specific percentage as listed in options A and E. Option B is incorrect as it refers to an economic crisis rather than a type of state. Option C is also incorrect as it suggests that a reduction in social programs is a defining characteristic of a welfare state, which is not the case.

Question 15

Which term refers to the set of government programs devoted to social policy?

Accepted Answer

The term that refers to the set of government programs devoted to social policy is the welfare state. This type of state aims to provide social welfare and improve the well-being of its citizens through various social programs and policies, such as healthcare, education, housing, and income support.

Question 16

In the areas of ________, states have been and continue to be primarily responsible for financing and implementing programs.

Accepted Answer

States have been primarily responsible for financing and implementing programs in the areas of crime prevention and education. While the federal government may provide guidelines and funding, the primary responsibility for these areas typically falls to state and local governments, which tailor programs to meet their specific needs and contexts.

Question 17

The federal Assistance to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) program provides cash payments to families with children living below the federal poverty line. The maximum income feature of AFDC eligibility means the program is ________.

Accepted Answer

The term "means-tested" means that eligibility for the program is based on an individual or family's financial need, in this case, their income falling below the federal poverty line. Therefore, since AFDC eligibility is based on income, it is means-tested.

Question 18

Until the ________ century, few federal social programs existed.

Accepted Answer

The question is asking about the century until which few federal social programs existed. Federal social programs refer to programs created by the government to provide social assistance to citizens. The eighteenth century was too early for federal social programs to exist. The seventeenth century was the century of colonization and the establishment of colonies, so it is also unlikely that there were federal social programs. The nineteenth century saw the beginning of federal social programs such as the Homestead Act, but they were still limited. The twenty-first century is too recent for this statement to be true. Therefore, the correct answer is the twentieth century, which saw the expansion and establishment of many federal social programs such as Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid.

Question 19

A government program or policy is ________ if it is offered only to people who meet objective eligibility requirements, such as income level.

Accepted Answer

A means-tested government program or policy is one where eligibility is determined by objective criteria, such as income level or asset ownership. This means that only those who meet the criteria are able to receive the benefits or participate in the program. This is in contrast to a progressive or regressive program, which are based on ability to pay or other subjective criteria. "Agent based" does not describe a type of policy or program, and "need based" is sometimes used interchangeably with means-tested, but generally refers to whether the program is aimed at providing for basic needs or meeting other goals.

Question 20

The education children receive in public schools is a ________.

Accepted Answer

Education in public schools is a private good with positive externalities because it is excludable and rivalrous, but it also benefits society by creating a more educated populace.

Quiz 16: Social Policy