Public Policy: Politics, Analysis, and Alternatives PDF
Preview Public Policy: Politics, Analysis, and Alternatives
Public Policy Sixth Edition 2 For Sandy and Debbie, Kyle, and Darcy 3 Public Policy Politics, Analysis, and Alternatives Sixth Edition Michael E. Kraft University of Wisconsin–Green Bay Scott R. Furlong University of Wisconsin–Green Bay 4 FOR INFORMATION: CQ Press An Imprint of SAGE Publications, Inc. 2455 Teller Road Thousand Oaks, California 91320 E-mail: [email protected] SAGE Publications Ltd. 1 Oliver’s Yard 55 City Road London EC1Y 1SP United Kingdom SAGE Publications India Pvt. Ltd. B 1/I 1 Mohan Cooperative Industrial Area Mathura Road, New Delhi 110 044 India SAGE Publications Asia-Pacific Pte. Ltd. 3 Church Street #10-04 Samsung Hub Singapore 049483 Copyright © 2018 by CQ Press, an Imprint of SAGE Publications, Inc. CQ Press is a registered trademark of Congressional Quarterly Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher. Printed in the United States of America Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Names: Kraft, Michael E. | Furlong, Scott R., author. Title: Public policy : politics, analysis, and alternatives / Michael E. Kraft, University of Wisconsin, Green Bay, Scott R. 5 Furlong, University of Wisconsin, Green Bay. Description: Sixth edition. | Thousand Oaks, California: CQ Press, [2018] | Includes index. Identifiers: LCCN 2017000975 | ISBN 9781506358154 (pbk. : alk. paper) Subjects: LCSH: Policy sciences—Evaluation. | Political planning—Citizen participation. | Political planning—United States—Evaluation. | Public administration—United States—Evaluation. Classification: LCC H97.K73 2018 | DDC 320.60973—dc23 LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2017000975 This book is printed on acid-free paper. Acquisitions Editor: Carrie Brandon Content Development Editors: Anna Villarruel, John Scappini Editorial Assistant: Duncan Marchbank Production Editor: Tracy Buyan Copy Editor: Melinda Masson Typesetter: C&M Digitals (P) Ltd. Proofreader: Ellen Howard Indexer: Diggs Publication Services Cover Designer: Michael Dubowe Marketing Manager: Amy Whitaker 6 Brief Contents 1. Boxes, Figures, and Tables 2. Preface 3. About the Authors 4. Part I The Study of Public Policy 1. 1 Public Policy and Politics 2. 2 Government Institutions and Policy Actors 3. 3 Understanding Public Policymaking 5. Part II Analyzing Public Policy 1. 4 Policy Analysis: An Introduction 2. 5 Public Problems and Policy Alternatives 3. 6 Assessing Policy Alternatives 6. Part III Issues and Controversies in Public Policy 1. 7 Economic and Budgetary Policy 2. 8 Health Care Policy 3. 9 Welfare and Social Security Policy 4. 10 Education Policy 5. 11 Environmental and Energy Policy 6. 12 Foreign Policy and Homeland Security 7. Part IV Conclusions 1. 13 Politics, Analysis, and Policy Choice 8. Glossary 9. References 10. Index 7 Detailed Contents Boxes, Figures, and Tables Preface About the Authors Part I THE STUDY OF PUBLIC POLICY 1 Public Policy and Politics What Is Public Policy? Defining Basic Concepts Government Politics Policy Analysis Why Study Public Policy? Citizens’ Ability to Participate and Make Choices Citizens’ Ability to Influence Policy Decisions The Contexts of Public Policy Social Context Economic Context Political Context Governing Context Cultural Context The Reasons for Government Involvement Political Reasons Moral or Ethical Reasons Economics and Market Failures The Practice of Policy Analysis The Many Uses of Policy Analysis Citizens’ Use of Policy Analysis How to Decide Which Policy Is Best: Using Multiple Criteria Conclusions Discussion Questions Keywords Suggested Readings Suggested Websites Notes 2 Government Institutions and Policy Actors Growth of Government Government Institutions and Policy Capacity Federalism The Evolution of Federal-State Relations State Variation in Policy Capacity 8 Separation of Powers Legislative Branch Executive Branch Judicial Branch Informal Policy Actors and Policy Capacity Public Opinion and Policymaking Interest Groups, Nonprofits, and Public Policy Media Policy Subgovernments and Issue Networks Improving Policy Capacity Conclusions Discussion Questions Keywords Suggested Readings Suggested Websites Notes 3 Understanding Public Policymaking Theories of Politics and Public Policy Elite Theory Group Theory Institutional Theory Rational Choice Theory Political Systems Theory The Policy Process Model Problem Definition and Agenda Setting Policy Formulation Policy Legitimation Policy Implementation Policy Evaluation Policy Change Instruments of Public Policy Regulation Government Management Taxing and Spending Market Mechanisms Education, Information, and Persuasion Policy Typologies Conclusions Discussion Questions Keywords Suggested Readings Suggested Websites 9 Notes Part II ANALYZING PUBLIC POLICY 4 Policy Analysis: An Introduction The Nature of Policy Analysis Steps in the Policy Analysis Process Define and Analyze the Problem Construct Policy Alternatives Choose Evaluative Criteria Assess the Alternatives Draw Conclusions Types of Policy Analysis Scientific Approaches Professional Approaches Political Approaches What Kind of Analysis Is Needed? Deal with Root Causes or Make Pragmatic Adjustments? Comprehensive Analysis or Short-Term Policy Relevance? Consensual or Contentious Analysis? Reliance on Rational Analysis or Democratic Politics? Other Aspects of Policy Analysis Conclusions Discussion Questions Keywords Suggested Readings Suggested Websites Leading General Journals of Public Policy Major Professional Newsweeklies with Policy Coverage Notes 5 Public Problems and Policy Alternatives Problem Analysis The Nature of the Problem Thinking about Causes and Solutions How to Find Information Constructing Alternatives What Governments Can Do Policy Typologies as Analytic Tools Thinking Creatively about Policy Action Conclusions Discussion Questions Keywords Suggested Readings Suggested Websites 10
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