Pick one federal policy that was discussed over a span of two different administrations. For example, health care policies under Presidents Clinton and Obama, or foreign policy under Presidents George H. W. Bush and George W. Bush.
In addition to the Strayer Library, you may want to use the following resources as you develop your paper:
American Politics: Presidency and the ExecutiveLinks to an external site. to assist you in identifying a policy.
For concepts and terms referencing public policy purpose and outcomes, see What Is Public Policy?Links to an external site.
Write a 3–4 page paper in which you:
Discuss the historical perspective of the time when the policy was discussed or implemented. Indicate the context or the problem of the day and the urgency for the policy.
Analyze the social, economic, and political environments for the time the policy was discussed or implemented.
Critique the policy for its effectiveness at that time.
Full Answer Section
- 2002-2004: The Bush administration interprets the Telecommunications Act as allowing ISPs to engage in traffic shaping and other practices that could potentially violate net neutrality principles. This interpretation sparks public concern and debate.
Reemergence and Intensification under Obama and Trump:
- 2009-2016: President Obama's FCC adopts Open Internet Order in 2015, classifying broadband internet as a common carrier service and explicitly implementing net neutrality rules. This move is applauded by net neutrality advocates but challenged by ISPs.
- 2017-2021: President Trump's FCC repeals the Open Internet Order in 2017, sparking widespread protests and litigation. This decision is seen as a significant setback for net neutrality.
Continued Relevance and Future:
- 2022-present: The Biden administration and FCC reinstate net neutrality principles through new regulations, but legal challenges from ISPs remain ongoing. The debate over net neutrality continues to evolve, with no clear resolution in sight.
Choosing Net Neutrality as an Example:
Net neutrality stands out for several reasons:
- Cross-administration persistence: The policy debate has spanned four administrations, highlighting its enduring significance.
- Evolving interpretations and regulations: The policy's implementation and legal interpretations have shifted under different administrations, showcasing the dynamic nature of federal policymaking.
- Broad public and economic implications: Net neutrality affects individual internet users, businesses, and overall digital innovation, making it a high-stakes policy issue.
By examining net neutrality across administrations, we gain a deeper understanding of the ongoing struggle to balance competing interests in the digital age. This example illustrates how federal policies can persist and evolve across administrations, reflecting the complex interplay of political ideologies, public pressure, and technological advancements.
Sample Answer
Net neutrality, the principle that internet service providers (ISPs) should treat all web traffic equally, has been a complex and contentious federal policy spanning multiple administrations. Here's why it makes a compelling example:
Discussion under Clinton and Bush:
- 1998: President Clinton signs the Telecommunications Act of 1996 into law, which includes provisions on net neutrality. The act prohibits ISPs from blocking lawful content, but allows them to "prioritize" certain traffic (e.g., voice calls) over others.