4  Domestic Policy

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4.1 Education and Workforce

📖 Principle related to the allocation of resources and policies shaping the education system and workforce development.

4.1.1 item Education should be accessible to all, regardless of socioeconomic status or background. A well-educated populace is essential for a thriving democracy and a strong economy.

• rationale:
  • An educated populace is more likely to be civically engaged, to have higher incomes, and to be healthier. Investing in education is one of the best ways to improve the lives of individuals and to strengthen our communities.

4.1.2 item The government has a responsibility to ensure that all students have access to quality education. This means providing adequate funding for public schools, supporting teachers, and creating policies that promote equity and access.

• rationale:
  • Every child deserves a quality education, regardless of where they live or their family’s income. The government has a responsibility to ensure that all students have the opportunity to succeed.

4.1.3 item Education should prepare students for the 21st-century workforce. This means teaching students critical thinking skills, problem-solving skills, and the ability to collaborate and communicate effectively.

• rationale:
  • The 21st-century workforce requires workers who are able to think critically, solve problems, and collaborate effectively. Education should prepare students for the jobs of the future.

4.1.4 item The government should invest in workforce development programs that help workers to acquire the skills they need to succeed in the 21st-century economy.

• rationale:
  • The government has a responsibility to help workers to acquire the skills they need to succeed in the 21st-century economy. Investing in workforce development programs is one of the best ways to do this.

4.1.5 item Education and workforce development policies should be based on evidence and research. This means using data to understand the impact of policies and to make decisions that are based on what works.

• rationale:
  • Education and workforce development policies should be based on evidence and research in order to ensure that they are effective and that they meet the needs of students and workers.

4.2 Healthcare

📖 Principle related to the provision and regulation of healthcare services and systems.

4.2.1 item Follow the money.

• rationale:
  • The financial interests of policymakers often influence their decisions on healthcare policy, which can have significant implications for funding, access to care, and the quality of healthcare services.

4.2.2 item Beware of the revolving door.

• rationale:
  • Policymakers who move between government and the healthcare industry may have conflicts of interest that can affect their decisions on healthcare policy, primarily favoring the interests of the healthcare industry over the public interest.

4.2.3 item Consider the political context.

• rationale:
  • Healthcare policy is often influenced by political ideologies and electoral considerations, which can lead to decisions that prioritize short-term political gain over the long-term well-being of the population.

4.2.4 item Be aware of the power dynamics.

• rationale:
  • Policymakers are influenced by a variety of stakeholders, including healthcare providers, insurers, pharmaceutical companies, and patient advocacy groups, each with its own interests and agendas, which can lead to decisions that favor certain groups over others.

4.2.5 item Remember that healthcare is a human right.

• rationale:
  • Access to quality healthcare is essential for the well-being of individuals and society as a whole, and policymakers should prioritize the development and implementation of policies that ensure healthcare is accessible, affordable, and equitable for all.

4.3 Social Welfare

📖 Principle related to the design and implementation of programs aimed at providing social assistance and support to vulnerable populations.

4.3.1 item Policymakers are more likely to support social welfare programs that have strong public support.

• rationale:
  • Public opinion can influence the decisions of policymakers. If the public is strongly in favor of a social welfare program, policymakers are more likely to support it.

4.3.2 item Policymakers are more likely to support social welfare programs that are seen as being cost-effective.

• rationale:
  • Policymakers are often concerned about the cost of social welfare programs. If a program is seen as being cost-effective, policymakers are more likely to support it.

4.3.3 item Policymakers are more likely to support social welfare programs that are seen as being effective in achieving their goals.

• rationale:
  • Policymakers want to know that social welfare programs are actually working. If a program is seen as being effective, policymakers are more likely to support it.

4.3.4 item Policymakers are more likely to support social welfare programs that are seen as being fair.

• rationale:
  • People want to know that social welfare programs are fair and don’t favor one group of people over another. If a program is seen as being fair, policymakers are more likely to support it.

4.3.5 item Policymakers are more likely to support social welfare programs that are seen as being sustainable.

• rationale:
  • Policymakers want to know that social welfare programs are sustainable and won’t create new problems in the future. If a program is seen as being sustainable, policymakers are more likely to support it.

4.4 Housing and Urban Development

📖 Principle related to the regulation and development of housing and urban areas, including policies affecting affordability, accessibility, and sustainability.

4.4.1 item The interests of powerful stakeholders, such as developers and homeowners, often have an outsized influence on housing policy decisions.

• rationale:
  • These groups have the resources to lobby policymakers and contribute to their campaigns, giving them a significant advantage in shaping the policymaking process.

4.4.2 item Policies that promote homeownership over rental housing can exacerbate inequality and limit housing affordability.

• rationale:
  • Homeownership is often seen as a path to wealth accumulation, but it can also be a burden for low-income families. Renters are often more vulnerable to eviction and displacement, and they may have fewer opportunities to build wealth.

4.4.3 item Zoning laws and land-use regulations can have a significant impact on housing affordability and accessibility.

• rationale:
  • These laws can restrict the development of new housing, especially affordable housing, and they can also lead to segregation and discrimination.

4.4.4 item The lack of affordable housing can have a range of negative consequences for individuals and communities.

• rationale:
  • Unaffordable housing can lead to homelessness, overcrowding, and poor health. It can also make it difficult for people to find jobs and access education.

4.4.5 item Public investment in affordable housing and community development can have a positive impact on the lives of low-income families and communities of color.

• rationale:
  • This investment can help to create jobs, revitalize neighborhoods, and reduce poverty.

4.5 Criminal Justice

📖 Principle related to the operation and reform of the criminal justice system, including policing, sentencing, and rehabilitation.

4.5.1 item The criminal justice system should be fair and impartial, and should not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, gender, or sexual orientation.

• rationale:
  • The criminal justice system is a powerful tool that can have a profound impact on people’s lives. It is important that the system is fair and impartial, and that it does not discriminate against any particular group of people.

4.5.2 item The criminal justice system should focus on rehabilitation rather than punishment.

• rationale:
  • The goal of the criminal justice system should be to help people who have committed crimes to become productive members of society. This can be best achieved through rehabilitation programs that focus on education, job training, and counseling.

4.5.3 item The criminal justice system should be accountable to the public.

• rationale:
  • The criminal justice system is a public institution that is funded by taxpayers. As such, it is important that the system be accountable to the public and that it operates in a transparent and responsive manner.

4.5.4 item The criminal justice system should be constantly evaluated and reformed.

• rationale:
  • The criminal justice system is a complex and ever-changing system. It is important that the system be constantly evaluated and reformed in order to ensure that it is meeting the needs of society.

4.5.5 item The criminal justice system should be based on the rule of law.

• rationale:
  • The rule of law is the principle that everyone is subject to the same laws and that no one is above the law. This principle is essential for the fair and impartial administration of justice.