Synopses & Reviews
Among the new class of inductees into the “Longman Classics in Political Science” Series, this Fifth Edition updates and revises Aaron Wildavsky's classic exposition of how federal budget decisions are made and how formal budget institutions and processes are interwoven with political dynamics. This text explains how the federal budget process has evolved and analyzes recent developments in key areas: entitlements, defense, deficit/surplus and reforms. Its critical and stimulating approach and clear, readable explanations make it essential reading for students of politics and public administration, as well as anyone trying to understand a decision-making process that affects virtually all Americans. |
Synopsis
Among the new class of inductees into the Longman Classics in Political Science Series, this Fifth Edition updates and revises Aaron Wildavsky's classic exposition of how federal budget decisions are made and how formal budget institutions and processes are interwoven with political dynamics.
This text explains how the
federal budget process has evolved and analyzes recent developments in key areas: entitlements, defense, deficit/surplus and reforms. Its critical and stimulating approach and clear, readable explanations make it essential reading for students of politics and public administration, as well as anyone trying to understand a decision-making process that affects virtually all Americans.
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Table of Contents
1. Budgeting as Conflicting Promises.
2. Budgets as Struggles for Power: A Historical Perspective.
3. The Dance of the Dollars: Classical Budgeting.
4. The Collapse of Consensus.
5. The Politics of Dissensus.
6. The Politics of Balancing Budgets.
7. Deficits and Surpluses.
8. Entitlement.
9. Budgeting for Defense.
10. Reform.
11. Budget of Opposites.
Glossary.
Guide to Acronyms.
Select Bibliography.
Credits.
Index.