Discussion question #1: "The "Underwear Bomber""
Please respond to the following:
• In the textbook, Birkland argues that the "underwear bomber" case tipped the balance in favor of using screening machines that showed a clearer image of a screened passenger's body under his or her own clothes. Take a position on the following question and provide support for your position: Do you agree that public sentiment supports the use of such machines?
• Take a position on the following question and provide support for your position: Does the failed attempt to bomb Northwest Airlines flight 253 in 2009 ("underwear bomber") reflect policy failure or policy success?
Discussion question #2: "Top-Down vs. Bottom-Up"
Based on the lecture, address the following:
• Evaluate and then suggest the most important problem with top-down models of policy implementation by citing at least two problems associated with this model.
• Evaluate and then discuss whether bottom-up approaches address these problems.
• Analyze the bottom-up shortcomings.
• On balance, evaluate which model you think would best aid someone who is attempting to design a policy and support your reasons.