The authors want students to understand how and why policy analysis is used to assess policy alternatives—not only to question the assumptions of policy analysts, but to recognize how analysis is used in support of political arguments. To encourage critical and creative thinking on issues ranging from the federal deficit to the Affordable Care Act to gun control, the authors introduce and fully integrate an evaluative approach to policy. Public Policy begins with a concise review of institutions, policy actors, and major theoretical models. The authors then discuss the nature of policy analysis and its practice, and show students how to employ evaluative criteria in six substantive policy areas. Public Policy arms students with analytic tools they need to understand that the motivations of policy actors—both within and outside of government—influence a complex, yet comprehensible, policy agenda. INDICE: PART I: THE STUDY OF PUBLIC POLICYChapter 1: PUBLIC POLICY AND POLITICS What Is Public Policy? Defining Basic Concepts Why Study Public Policy? The Contexts of Public Policy The Reasons for Government Involvement The Practice of Policy AnalysisChapter 2: GOVERNMENT INSTITUTIONS AND POLICY ACTORS Growth of Government Government Institutions and Policy Capacity Federalism Separation of Powers Informal Policy Actors and Policy Capacity Improving Policy CapacityChapter 3: UNDERSTANDING PUBLIC POLICYMAKING Theories of Politics and Public Policy The Policy Process Model Instruments of Public Policy Policy TypologiesPart II: ANALYZING PUBLIC POLICYChapter 4: POLICY ANALYSIS: AN INTRODUCTION The Nature of Policy Analysis Steps in the Policy Analysis Process Types of Policy Analysis What Kind of Analysis Is Needed?Chapter 5: PUBLIC PROBLEMS AND POLICY ALTERNATIVES Problem Analysis How to Find Information Constructing Alternatives Thinking Creatively about Policy ActionChapter 6: ASSESSING POLICY ALTERNATIVES Evaluative Criteria for Judging Policy Proposals Using the Methods of Policy Analysis Economic Approaches Decision Making and Impacts Political and Institutional Approaches Ethical AnalysisPART III: ISSUES AND CONTROVERSIES IN PUBLIC POLICYChapter 7: ECONOMIC AND BUDGETARY POLICY Background Goals of Economic Policy Tools of Economic Policy The Budget Process and Its Effect on Economic Policy Economic Policy: Successes and Failures Economic Issues and Challenges Focused Discussion: How to Address the Budgetary ShortfallChapter 8: HEALTH CARE POLICY Background Major Government Health Care Programs Other Health Care Policy Issues Rising Health Care Costs Managed Care Organizations Reducing Health Care Costs Quality of Care Focused Discussion: Should There Be Greater Emphasis on Preventive Health Care?Chapter 9: WELFARE AND SOCIAL SECURITY POLICY Background Social Security WelfareChapter 10: EDUCATION POLICY Background Problems Facing Education Education Policy Reforms Higher Education Issues Focused Discussion: Higher Education Affordability, Cost, and ValueChapter 11: ENVIRONMENTAL AND ENERGY POLICY Background The Evolution of Environmental and Energy Policy From Consensus to Conflict in Environmental Policy Major Federal Environmental Policies Energy Policy Focused Discussion: Climate Change and Energy Policy AlternativesChapter 12: FOREIGN POLICY AND HOMELAND SECURITY Background and Policy Evolution Selected Issues in Homeland Security Focused Discussion: Civil Liberties in an Age of TerrorismPART IV: CONCLUSIONSChapter 13: POLITICS, ANALYSIS, AND POLICY CHOICE Policy Analysis, Citizen Participation, and Change Public Policies and Their Impacts Policy Analysis and Policy Choices Citizen Participation in Decision Making
- ISBN: 978-1-4833-4578-9
- Editorial: CQ Press
- Encuadernacion: Rústica
- Páginas: 608
- Fecha Publicación: 31/01/2015
- Nº Volúmenes: 1
- Idioma: