Studying Public Policy: Policy Cycles and Policy Subsystems

Studying Public Policy examines three dimensions of efforts to engage and resolve public problems: policy actors, institutions, and ideas. Using this focus, the book overviews past efforts to understand public policy-making, outlines the different stages of the policy-making process, and discusses the principal elements and patterns of policy dynamics. Developing an analytical framework of the subject, the text examines the theoretical and conceptual foundations of, and approaches used in, policy sciences giving students a solid basis for understanding public policy. This edition has been fully updated with new developments in the field and revised with clear language and an easy-to-understand structure, making it the most current, student-friendly resource available.

Table of Contents:
Part I: Methodology, Theory, and Context in Public Policy Research 1: Introduction: Why Study Public Policy? Overview of the Book Public Policy Defined Methodological Implications for Studying Public Policy The Policy Cycle Framework of Analysis: An Applied Problem-Solving Model of the Policy Process Structure of the Book 2: Understanding Public Policy: Theoretical Approaches Evolution of the Policy Sciences Approaches to Public Policy Analysis: Positivism and Post-Positivism Approaches to Public Policy Studies: Multi-Level, Multi-Disciplinary Theorizing with Different Units of Analysis Conclusion 3: The Policy Context Introduction: Institutions, Ideas, and Actors The Political-Economic Context Policy-Making in the Liberal-Democratic Capitalist State The International System and Public Policy Policy Subsystems and Policy Regimes: Integrating Institutions, Ideas, and Actors Conclusion Part II: The Five Stages of the Policy Cycle 4: Agenda-Setting The Objective Construction of Policy Problems: The Role of Social Conditions and Structures The Subjective Construction of Policy Problems: The Role of Policy Actors and Paradigms Combining Ideas, Actors, and Structures in Multi-Variable Models of Agenda-Setting Modes of Agenda-Setting Linking Agenda-Setting Modes to Content: Policy Windows and Policy Monopolies Conclusion: Revisiting Agenda-Setting Modes through a Policy Subsystem Lens 5: Policy Formulation: Policy Instruments and Policy Design What Is Policy Formulation? The Phases of Policy Formulation The General Content of Policy Formulation The Substance of Policy Formulation: Policy Instruments Common Policy Tools by Category The Nature of Policy Alternatives The Role of Policy Subsystems in Policy Formulation Conclusion: Understanding Policy Formulation Styles as a Function of Policy Regimes 6: Public Policy Decision-Making Actors in the Decision-Making Process Choices: Negative, Positive, and Non-Decisions Early Models of Decision-Making: Rationalism and Incrementalism Efforts To Move Beyond Rationalism and Incrementalism Conclusion: Revisiting Public Policy Decision-Making Modes 7: Policy Implementation Actors and Activities in Policy Implementation Implementation Theory Implementation as Policy Design: Instrument Choices and Policy Mixes Implementation Styles and Long-Term Instrument Preferences Conclusion: Subsystem Complexity and Issue Tractability as Key Determinants of Implementation Success and Failure 8: Policy Evaluation: Policy-Making as Policy Learning Positivist and Post-Positivist Policy Evaluation Policy Evaluation as Policy Learning Actors in the Policy Evaluation Process The Outcomes of Policy Evaluation: Policy Feedback and Policy Termination Linking Policy Evaluation and Learning: Evaluation Styles in Government Conclusion: The Key Role of Evaluation and Feedback in the Policy Cycle Part III: Long-Term Policy Dynamics 9: Patterns of Policy Change Outcomes of Policy Succession: Policy Feedback and Policy Termination Types of Policy Change: Normal and Atypical Conclusion Bibliography Index

About the Author :
Michael Howlett is Burnaby Mountain Chair and Professor of Political Science at Simon Fraser University. M. Ramesh is an Associate Professor at the Lew Kuan Yew School of Public Policy at the National University of Singapore. Anthony Perl is a Professor and the Director of the Urban Studies Program at Simon Fraser University.