Synopses & Reviews
To explain the fundamentals of public policy, this best-selling text focuses on the process behind the crafting of legislation. By examining the individual steps--from identifying a problem, to agenda setting, to evaluation, revision, or termination of a policy--students are able to see how different factors influence the creation of policy. Each chapter features at least one case study to illustrate how general ideas are applied to specific policy issues.Recent policy enactments dissected for discussion include the 2002 Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act, the 2002 National Commission on Terrorist Attacks, 1996 Federal Agricultural Improvement and Reform Act, and the PATRIOT Act.Up-to-date examples--including coverage of Election 2004--help students make sense of difficult topics.
Synopsis
To explain the fundamentals of public policy, this best-selling text focuses on the process behind the crafting of legislation. By examining the individual steps--from identifying a problem, to agenda setting, to evaluation, revision, or termination of a policy--students are able to see how different factors influence the creation of policy. Each chapter features at least one case study to illustrate how general ideas are applied to specific policy issues.
Synopsis
To explain the fundamentals of public policy, this best-selling text focuses on the process behind the crafting of legislation. By examining the individual steps--from identifying a problem, to agenda setting, to evaluation, revision, or termination of a policy--students are able to see how different factors influence the creation of policy. Each chapter features at least one case study to illustrate how general ideas are applied to specific policy issues.
Synopsis
To explain the fundamentals of public policy, this best-selling text focuses on the process behind the crafting of legislation. By examining the individual steps--from identifying a problem, to agenda setting, to evaluation, revision, or termination of a policy--students are able to see how different factors influence the creation of policy. Each chapter features at least one case study that illustrates how general ideas are applied to specific policy issues. This new Seventh Edition addresses the economic crisis as well as how the Obama administration differs from the Bush administration in its approach to policy making.
About the Author
James Anderson (Texas A&M University) is the former President of the Policy Studies Organization and Secretary of the American Political Science Association. He has served as both President and Vice-President/Program Chair of the Southern Political Science Association and as President of the Southwestern Political Science Association.
Table of Contents
Note: Chapters 1-7 conclude with For Further Exploration, Test Your Knowledge, Suggested Readings, and Notes. 1. The Study of Public Policy The Plan of This Book What Is Public Policy? Categories of Public Policies Approaches to Policy Study Methodological Difficulties in Studying Public Policy 2. The Policy-Makers and Their Environment The Policy Environment The Official Policy-Makers Nongovernmental Participants Levels of Politics Case Study: The Endangered Snail Darter 3. Policy Formation: Problems, Agendas, and Formulation Policy Problems The Policy Agenda The Agenda-Setting Process Nondecisions The Loss of Agenda Status Two Cases in Agenda Setting Case Study: Coal-Mine Safety Case Study: Environmental Pollution Control The Formulation of Policy Proposals Policy Formulation as a Technical Process Case Study: Formulating Policy: The Family and Medical Leave Act A Concluding Comment 4. Policy Adoption Theories of Decision-Making Decision Criteria The Public Interest Styles of Decision-Making Presidential Decision-Making Case Study: Policy Adoption: Consumer Bankruptcy 5. Budgeting and Public Policy The Budget and Public Policy The National Budgetary Process Case Study: The Struggle to Balance the Budget 6. Policy Implementation Federalism and Implementation Who Implements Policy? Administrative Organization Administrative Politics Administrative Policymaking Case Study: National Park Service Fire Policy Case Study: The Elementary and Secondary Education Act Techniques of Control Case Study: The Clean Air Act's Emissions-Trading System Compliance 7. Policy Impact, Evaluation, and Change Policy Impact Policy Evaluation Policy Evaluation Processes Case Study: The GAO and Food Safety Problems in Policy Evaluation Policy Evaluation: The Use and Misuse of Cost-Benefit Analysis Case Study: The Politics of Evaluation: Head Start Policy Termination Case Study: The Policy Cycle: Airline Regulation and Deregulation 8. Concluding Comments