Public Policy
Politics, Analysis, and Alternatives
6th Edition
Published on 20. July 2017
Book
Paperback/Softback
584 pages
978-1-5063-5815-4 (ISBN)
Description
This book teaches 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.
Reviews / Votes
"Public Policy: Politics, Analysis, and Alternatives by Kraft and Furlong is a fresh and comprehensive text on American public policy. The text is concisely written and the content easily promotes engagement and student interest. Strong organizational structure which readily lends to a precise understanding of the dynamics and nature of public policy, analyses and assessment. The substantive analyses of public policies contained in the book contributes to the richness of the text. Excellent academic work which fuses theory and practice in American public policy." -- Dr. Linda Trautman "Public Policy: Politics, Analysis, and Alternatives does a nice job of laying out the different competing models of public policy and then goes on and tackles topics in public policy one-by-one using whatever tools work best to make sense of the topic. The writing in this book is better than in most textbooks my students have, and students like to use this book." -- Steven Maloney "Public Policy: Politics, Analysis, and Alternatives is a good introductory policy text that balances theory and issues, depth and breadth. I tried a number of other texts before landing on Kraft and Furlong. I wanted a text that balanced theory/process chapters and chapters on specific issues and that could be used by students with very little policy background. What I like best are the balance between theory and issues, and the accessible writing. The size and price are ideal for introductory students as well." -- Bruce Nesmith "Public Policy: Politics, Analysis, and Alternatives provides the most comprehensive coverage of the field of American public policy, including not just policy analysis, but also in-depth chapters on a variety of policy areas. It is very readable, and the terms are explained quite well." -- Philip Nicholas "The strength of Public Policy: Politics, Analysis, and Alternatives is that it is a very well organized book that covers many different aspects of public policy, the policy process and policy analysis. It takes a very rational approach to the policy process, which it might be argued is often very irrational. This is a good introduction which provides a solid foundation. It covers all aspects from policy process to policy analysis. The chapters on the policy areas provide to students both historical insight and an understanding of current challenges in public policy." -- Ellen Rogers "Public Policy: Politics, Analysis, and Alternatives is a great intro to public policy book that has a heavy focus on environmental policy and does an excellent job covering market failures and reasons for government intervention. The thematic approach is great for an academic class that stresses objective research into public problems and their possible solutions. There is considerable emphasis on critically thinking about sources and the policy actors involved in the process. This book does a good job of taking some of the controversy out of politics by being very fact based and evidence driven while also encouraging analysis." -- Katrina TaylorMore details
Edition
6th Revised edition
Language
English
Place of publication
Washington
United States
Publishing group
SAGE Publications Inc
Target group
College/higher education
Edition type
Revised edition
Dimensions
Height: 232 mm
Width: 191 mm
Weight
982 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-5063-5815-4 (9781506358154)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Previous edition
Book
12/2014
5th Edition
SAGE Publications Inc
€133.70
Article exhausted; check for reprint
Persons
Michael E. Kraft is professor emeritus of political science
and public affairs at the University of Wisconsin-Green
Bay. He is the author of, among other works, Environmental
Policy and Politics, 8th ed. (2022), and coauthor of
Coming Clean: Information Disclosure and Environmental
Performance (2011), with Mark Stephan and Troy D. Abel.
In addition, he is the coeditor of Environmental Policy:
New Directions in the 21st Century, 12th ed. (2025), with
Barry G. Rabe and Norman J. Vig; Toward Sustainable
Communities: Transition and Transformations in Environmental Policy, 2nd ed. (2009), with
Daniel A. Mazmanian; and Business and Environmental Policy: Corporate Interests in the
American Political System (2007) and The Oxford Handbook of U.S. Environmental Policy (2013),
with Sheldon Kamieniecki. For over forty years, he taught courses in environmental policy and
politics, American government, Congress, and public policy analysis.
Scott R. Furlong is provost/vice president for academic
affairs at the State University of New York at Oswego as
of July 2017, after serving ten years as dean of the College
of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences and professor
of political science and public affairs at the University of
Wisconsin-Green Bay. His areas of expertise are regulatory
policy and interest group participation in the executive
branch, and he has taught public policy for over twenty
years. He is the author or coauthor of many book chapters
and coauthor of Rulemaking: How Government Agencies
Write Laws and Make Policy, 5th ed. (2019), with Cornelius
M. Kerwin. His articles have appeared in such journals as Public Administration Review, Journal
of Public Administration Research and Theory, Administration and Society, American Review of
Public Administration, and Policy Studies Journal.
and public affairs at the University of Wisconsin-Green
Bay. He is the author of, among other works, Environmental
Policy and Politics, 8th ed. (2022), and coauthor of
Coming Clean: Information Disclosure and Environmental
Performance (2011), with Mark Stephan and Troy D. Abel.
In addition, he is the coeditor of Environmental Policy:
New Directions in the 21st Century, 12th ed. (2025), with
Barry G. Rabe and Norman J. Vig; Toward Sustainable
Communities: Transition and Transformations in Environmental Policy, 2nd ed. (2009), with
Daniel A. Mazmanian; and Business and Environmental Policy: Corporate Interests in the
American Political System (2007) and The Oxford Handbook of U.S. Environmental Policy (2013),
with Sheldon Kamieniecki. For over forty years, he taught courses in environmental policy and
politics, American government, Congress, and public policy analysis.
Scott R. Furlong is provost/vice president for academic
affairs at the State University of New York at Oswego as
of July 2017, after serving ten years as dean of the College
of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences and professor
of political science and public affairs at the University of
Wisconsin-Green Bay. His areas of expertise are regulatory
policy and interest group participation in the executive
branch, and he has taught public policy for over twenty
years. He is the author or coauthor of many book chapters
and coauthor of Rulemaking: How Government Agencies
Write Laws and Make Policy, 5th ed. (2019), with Cornelius
M. Kerwin. His articles have appeared in such journals as Public Administration Review, Journal
of Public Administration Research and Theory, Administration and Society, American Review of
Public Administration, and Policy Studies Journal.
Content
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
Why Study Public Policy?
The Contexts of Public Policy
The Reasons for Government Involvement
The Practice of Policy Analysis
Conclusions
Discussion Questions
Keywords
Suggested Readings
Suggested Websites
Notes
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 Capacity
Conclusions
Discussion Questions
Keywords
Suggested Readings
Suggested Websites
Notes
3 Understanding Public Policymaking
Theories of Politics and Public Policy
The Policy Process Model
Instruments of Public Policy
Policy Typologies
Conclusions
Discussion Questions
Keywords
Suggested Readings
Suggested Websites
Notes
PART II ANALYZING PUBLIC POLICY
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?
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
How to Find Information
Constructing Alternatives
Thinking Creatively about Policy Action
Conclusions
Discussion Questions
Keywords
Suggested Readings
Suggested Websites
Notes
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 Analysis
Conclusions
Discussion Questions
Keywords
Suggested Readings
Suggested Websites
Notes
PART III ISSUES AND CONTROVERSIES IN PUBLIC POLICY
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 Shortfall
Conclusions
Discussion Questions
Keywords
Major Legislation
Suggested Readings
Suggested Websites
Notes
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?
Conclusions
Discussion Questions
Keywords
Major Legislation
Suggested Readings
Suggested Websites
Notes
9 Welfare and Social Security Policy
Background
Social Security
Welfare
Focused Discussion: Can We Do Better? Addressing Poverty
Conclusions
Discussion Questions
Keywords
Major Legislation
Suggested Readings
Suggested Websites
Notes
10 Education Policy
Background
Problems Facing Education
Education Policy Reforms
Higher Education Issues
Focused Discussion: Higher Education Affordability, Cost, and Value
Conclusions
Discussion Questions
Keywords
Major Legislation
Suggested Readings
Suggested Websites
Notes
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 Alternatives
Conclusions
Discussion Questions
Keywords
Major Legislation
Suggested Readings
Suggested Websites
Notes
12 Foreign Policy and Homeland Security
Background and Policy Evolution
Selected Issues in Homeland Security
Focused Discussion: Civil Liberties in an Age of Terrorism
Conclusions
Discussion Questions
Keywords
Major Legislation
Suggested Readings
Suggested Websites
Notes
PART IV CONCLUSIONS
13 Politics, Analysis, and Policy Choice
Policy Analysis, Citizen Participation, and Policy Change
Public Policies and Their Impacts
Policy Analysis and Policy Choices
Citizen Participation in Decision Making
Conclusions
Discussion Questions
Keywords
Major Legislation
Suggested Readings
Suggested Websites
Notes
Glossary
References
Index
Preface
About the Authors
PART I THE STUDY OF PUBLIC POLICY
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 Analysis
Conclusions
Discussion Questions
Keywords
Suggested Readings
Suggested Websites
Notes
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 Capacity
Conclusions
Discussion Questions
Keywords
Suggested Readings
Suggested Websites
Notes
3 Understanding Public Policymaking
Theories of Politics and Public Policy
The Policy Process Model
Instruments of Public Policy
Policy Typologies
Conclusions
Discussion Questions
Keywords
Suggested Readings
Suggested Websites
Notes
PART II ANALYZING PUBLIC POLICY
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?
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
How to Find Information
Constructing Alternatives
Thinking Creatively about Policy Action
Conclusions
Discussion Questions
Keywords
Suggested Readings
Suggested Websites
Notes
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 Analysis
Conclusions
Discussion Questions
Keywords
Suggested Readings
Suggested Websites
Notes
PART III ISSUES AND CONTROVERSIES IN PUBLIC POLICY
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 Shortfall
Conclusions
Discussion Questions
Keywords
Major Legislation
Suggested Readings
Suggested Websites
Notes
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?
Conclusions
Discussion Questions
Keywords
Major Legislation
Suggested Readings
Suggested Websites
Notes
9 Welfare and Social Security Policy
Background
Social Security
Welfare
Focused Discussion: Can We Do Better? Addressing Poverty
Conclusions
Discussion Questions
Keywords
Major Legislation
Suggested Readings
Suggested Websites
Notes
10 Education Policy
Background
Problems Facing Education
Education Policy Reforms
Higher Education Issues
Focused Discussion: Higher Education Affordability, Cost, and Value
Conclusions
Discussion Questions
Keywords
Major Legislation
Suggested Readings
Suggested Websites
Notes
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 Alternatives
Conclusions
Discussion Questions
Keywords
Major Legislation
Suggested Readings
Suggested Websites
Notes
12 Foreign Policy and Homeland Security
Background and Policy Evolution
Selected Issues in Homeland Security
Focused Discussion: Civil Liberties in an Age of Terrorism
Conclusions
Discussion Questions
Keywords
Major Legislation
Suggested Readings
Suggested Websites
Notes
PART IV CONCLUSIONS
13 Politics, Analysis, and Policy Choice
Policy Analysis, Citizen Participation, and Policy Change
Public Policies and Their Impacts
Policy Analysis and Policy Choices
Citizen Participation in Decision Making
Conclusions
Discussion Questions
Keywords
Major Legislation
Suggested Readings
Suggested Websites
Notes
Glossary
References
Index