Handbook of Political Theory and Policy Science

This is not a true `handbook' if by that term one means a brief reference work or a practical manual. It is, rather, a well-ordered collection of articles with a common concern: the relation between policy science (which is essentially empirical and instrumental) and normative political theory (which includes moral evaluation of the goals of political action and institutions). . . . The editors have designated three general points of view which, respectively, hold the relation between political theory and policy science to be `complementary,' `integral,' or `mutually exclusive.' There are also lucid introductions to each section. The articles themselves are not for beginners, but they do, for the most part, eschew heavyhanded jargon. Overall, the book is coherent and breaks new ground in political theory and policy science. It is well referenced and has a useful index. Indispensable for graduate and advanced undergraduate collections. Also suitable for sophisticated general readers. Choice At the most general or inclusive level of meaning, theory and policy refer to two distinct ends of knowledge. While the tension between these two ends is not particularly strong in modern natural science, no such reconciliation has occurred in the social sciences where the role and nature of theory is far from obvious. As a result, a conclusive or consensual answer to the question of the optimal relationship between political theory and political science is not likely to emerge in the foreseeable future. The purpose of this handbook, therefore, is to present, compare, and clarify the most likely alternatives and to explore their implications for the purpose and potential of political science. In addition to offering surveys of ongoing work or major intellectual trends, the contributors to this handbook attempt to establish the validity of their views of the proper or necessary relationship between political theory and policy analysis. This volume presents the range of issues with which one must come to grips in formulating coherent and plausible positions and provides examples of arguments that lead to divergent conclusions.

Table of Contents:
Political Theory and the Emergence of a Policy Science by Michael B. Levy Political Theory and Policy Analysis as Complementary A: Mutually Compensating Activities Theory and Policy Analysis: Bridging the Gap by Bruce Jennings and Good Reasons in Policy Analysis by J. Patrick Dobel Ethical Problems of Imperfect Knowledge in the Policy Sciences by Fred Eidlin B: Dimensions of the Same Activity Political Theory as Policy Analysis--and Vice Versa by Robert E. Goodin Policy Inquiry and Rational Ideologies by David C. Paris Political Theory and Policy Analysis as Hierarchically Integral A: Political Theory Guides Policy Analysis The Political-Theoretical Foundations of Public Policy by Lance deHaven-Smith and Randall B. Riply Political Institutions and Political Practice by Stephen L. Elkin Formal Theory and the Prospects of a Policy Science by Douglas Muzzio and Gerald De Maio B: Policy Analysis Guides Political Theory "The Policy Orientation" and the Theoretical Development of Political Science by George J. Graham, Jr. Theory and Data in Policy Analysis: Some Lessons from the Study of Urban Politics by Bryan Jones Political Theory and Policy Analysis as Mutually Exclusive A: Theory Threatens Policy Analysis Political Judgment and Theory in Policy Analysis by Charles W. Anderson Elite Informants and Theoretical Guidance in Policy Analysis by Susan B. Hansen B: Policy Analysis Threatens Theory Eonomic Discourse, Policy Analysis, and the Problem of the Political by Edward J. Harpham and Richard K. Scotch The Theoretical Illegitimacy of Social Scientific Expertise by Edward B. Portis Bibliography Index

About the Author :
EDWARD BRYAN PORTIS is Associate Professor of Political Science at Texas A&M University. He is the author of Max Weber and Political Commitment: Science, Politics, and Personality. His articles dealing with topics in political theory and social inquiry have appeared in Social Science Quarterly, Polity, Political Studies, PS, Administration and Society, Sociological Inquiry, The Review of Politics and other professional journals. MICHAEL B. LEVY is Administrative Assistant to Senator Lloyd Bentsen and Adjunct Professor at Georgetown University. He has published articles in Political Theory, Western Poliical Quarterly, Polity, and The Review of Politics. He has edited two anthologies, one on American political thought, the other on the future of liberalism.

Review :
?This is not a true handbook' if by that term one means a brief reference work or a practical manual. It is, rather, a well-ordered collection of articles with a common concern: the relation between policy science (which is essentially empirical and instrumental) and normative political theory (which includes moral evaluation of the goals of political action and institutions). This issue is important to policy analysts, political theorists, and the general public. Policy science might be made more penetrating and therefore more precise in the long run by the normative depth and vision of political theory. Political theory, on the other hand, presently lacks the authority of policy science. Combining the two fields might in turn lead to wiser, more effective pulic policy-making, from which all would profit. The editors have designated three general points of view which, respectively, hold the relation between political theory and policy science to be complementary, ' integral, ' or mutually exclusive.' There are also lucid introductions to each section. The articles themselves are not for beginners, but they do, for the most part, eschew heavyhanded jargon. Overall, the book is coherent and breaks new ground in political theory and policy science. It is well referenced and has a useful index. Indispensable for graduate and advanced undergraduate collections. Also suitable for sophisticated general readers.?-Choice "This is not a true handbook' if by that term one means a brief reference work or a practical manual. It is, rather, a well-ordered collection of articles with a common concern: the relation between policy science (which is essentially empirical and instrumental) and normative political theory (which includes moral evaluation of the goals of political action and institutions). This issue is important to policy analysts, political theorists, and the general public. Policy science might be made more penetrating and therefore more precise in the long run by the normative depth and vision of political theory. Political theory, on the other hand, presently lacks the authority of policy science. Combining the two fields might in turn lead to wiser, more effective pulic policy-making, from which all would profit. The editors have designated three general points of view which, respectively, hold the relation between political theory and policy science to be complementary, ' integral, ' or mutually exclusive.' There are also lucid introductions to each section. The articles themselves are not for beginners, but they do, for the most part, eschew heavyhanded jargon. Overall, the book is coherent and breaks new ground in political theory and policy science. It is well referenced and has a useful index. Indispensable for graduate and advanced undergraduate collections. Also suitable for sophisticated general readers."-Choice