Government Capstone: A Supported Public-Policy Proposal — Practice · Grade 12 Social Studies

Chapter: Civic Participation & Public Policy

What this practice covers

By the end of Government Capstone: A Supported Public-Policy Proposal you should be able to:

8 questions, written answer, each with a worked explanation.

Vocabulary used: baseline, feasibility, cost per resident, distribution, counterargument.

Problem 1

Why must a proposal name both the problem and the authority to act?
Answer and explanation

The problem identifies what should change, while authority determines which institution can adopt or administer the response. A desired benefit alone does not establish power, procedure, or funding. Both belong in a feasible recommendation.

Problem 2

Why does the lowest cost per resident not decide the proposal automatically?
Answer and explanation

It measures one efficiency ratio, not rights, distribution, reliability, or access needs. Option A has the lowest supplied ratio, while B includes documented residents without alternatives. State the criterion and missing evidence before deciding how to weigh those differences.

Problem 3

How should a memo use missing comparable access data?
Answer and explanation

State that the measures are incomplete and avoid treating missing values as zero. Explain how that uncertainty affects the recommendation and which consistent access data could change it. A provisional judgment can remain reasoned when its limits are explicit.

Problem 4

What makes an evaluation plan more useful than promising to check success?
Answer and explanation

It defines the outcome, baseline, period, data, and limitations. Measures should test the policy’s mechanism and distribution of effects. A vague promise cannot establish what evidence would confirm, qualify, or change the recommendation.

Problem 5

Invented annual packet: A $60,000/300 residents; B $40,000/160; existing service $20,000/80; budget $60,000. B includes 60 people without other transport; comparable figures are missing for the other options. Draft a qualified recommendation using ratios and an explicit criterion.
Answer and explanation

A costs $200 per resident; B and existing service each cost $250. All fit the supplied budget, but A uses it fully. The ratios favor A on this particular measure, while B’s documented access for 60 people without alternatives raises a separate distributional consideration. A supported recommendation states how it weighs those criteria and identifies missing comparable access and operating information. The packet does not produce one automatic policy verdict.

Calculate comparable cost-per-resident ratios.

Compare feasibility and documented access.

Address a serious alternative and missing information.

Response criteria

  • Explain the relevant institution or economic concept accurately; show correct calculations where needed.
  • Connect supplied evidence and stated assumptions to an explained conclusion.
  • Compare feasible options and their effects on different people without stereotypes.
  • Identify a limitation, tradeoff, uncertainty, or condition that qualifies the conclusion.

Problem 6

Can a recommendation be strong while remaining conditional?
Answer and explanation

Yes. State the criterion, accurate evidence, assumptions, serious alternative, and information that could change the choice. A conditional conclusion is stronger than pretending missing evidence exists or refusing every judgment.

Response criteria

  • Explain the relevant institution or economic concept accurately; show correct calculations where needed.
  • Connect supplied evidence and stated assumptions to an explained conclusion.
  • Compare feasible options and their effects on different people without stereotypes.
  • Identify a limitation, tradeoff, uncertainty, or condition that qualifies the conclusion.

Problem 7

Invented option C costs $30,000 and serves 120 distinct residents annually. Calculate cost per resident and compare it with A’s $200 ratio.
Answer and explanation

C costs $250 per resident, compared with A’s $200 under matched categories. This favors A on that ratio alone; access, reliability, distribution, feasible funding, and missing conditions can change an overall recommendation.

Response criteria

  • Explain the relevant institution or economic concept accurately; show correct calculations where needed.
  • Connect supplied evidence and stated assumptions to an explained conclusion.
  • Compare feasible options and their effects on different people without stereotypes.
  • Identify a limitation, tradeoff, uncertainty, or condition that qualifies the conclusion.

Problem 8

A memo treats missing no-alternative counts for A as zero. Why should it be revised?
Answer and explanation

Missing information is not a measured zero. State the gap and its effect on the access comparison, then identify comparable data needed. A provisional recommendation should not strengthen its case through invented absence of need.

Response criteria

  • Explain the relevant institution or economic concept accurately; show correct calculations where needed.
  • Connect supplied evidence and stated assumptions to an explained conclusion.
  • Compare feasible options and their effects on different people without stereotypes.
  • Identify a limitation, tradeoff, uncertainty, or condition that qualifies the conclusion.

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