Policy Making in Britain: An Introduction

Introducing you to the public policy making process in Britain today, this book adopts an empirical approach to the study of policy making by relating theory to actual developments in Britain since the 1980s. It covers: Ideas, Problem Definition, Issues and Agenda-Setting Key Individuals Key Institutions Parliament and Public Policy Implementation The shift from Government to Governance (including marketization, and devolution) The increasing role of the private and voluntary sectors in policy delivery Internationalisation and Europeanization of policies and policy making Evaluation, audits and the New Public Management Each chapter is enriched by recent real-life case studies and boxes illustrating key arguments, concepts and empirical developments. Taking into account the 2010 election and beyond, the book addresses current issues, developments and debates. The result is a contemporary and engaging text that will be required reading for all students of British politics, public policy and public administration. 

Table of Contents:
Problem Definition and Policy Agendas Policy Advocates: Political Parties, Think Tanks and Organized Interests The Core Executive, Part One: The Individuals and their Policy Roles The Core Executive, Part Two: The Institutions and the Policy Roles Parliament and Public Policy From Government to Governance The Internationalization of Public Policy Policy Implementation Policy Evaluation

About the Author :
Peter Dorey is a Senior Lecturer in Politics at the School of European Studies, Cardiff University

Review :
This is an important analysis of the systems of British politics and the pressures it faces. This book sets a clear course for the reader, and presents a range of political debates in a logical, concise, and highly readable manner. Most of the key texts in this complex area of the discipline, including Dorey′s first edition, are now well out of date. So the arrival of this carefully updated, eminently concise yet highly readable second edition from Peter Dorey is greatly to be welcomed. Combining a judicious discussion of theoretical perspectives with a masterly analysis of empirical evidence, Policy Making in Britain has been a key resource for serious students of UK politics since its first appearance in 2006. The new edition covers subsequent developments, updates the guidance on further reading and provides very useful questions for group discussion. Professor Dorey deserves gratitude from those who teach the subject, as well as undergraduates and postgraduates - not least for presenting invaluable information in such an accessible style. This new and substantially revised edition of Policy Making in Britain provides an excellent introduction to the key ideas, individuals, institutions and vested interests that seek to define and control the political and policy agenda in Britain today. For students, particularly those with no previous knowledge of the subject, there is, quite simply, no better place to start Peter Dorey has, once again, produced a fine piece of work which takes the readers through both the theory and practice of public policy making in the UK. From the clearly introduced chapters, to the questions for reflection and additional reading for scholars and students, Dorey has provided the discipline with the essential ′core′ introductory text book in public policy that should be on every course reading list.