An Introduction to the Policy Process: Theories, Concepts, and Models of Public Policy Making

By Thomas A. Birkland

Book Overview

The fourth edition of this widely-used text relates theory to practice in the public policy process. In a clear, conversational style, author Tom Birkland conveys the best current thinking on the policy process with an emphasis on accessibility and synthesis. This new edition has been reorganized to better explain the role of policy analysis in the policy process. New to this edition: - A new section on the role of policy analysis and policy analysts in the policy process. - A revised and updated chapter surveying the social, economic, and demographic trends that are transforming the policy environment. - Fully updated references to help the advanced reader locate the most important theoretical literature in policy process studies. - New illustrations and an improved layout to clarify key ideas and stimulate classroom discussion. The book makes generous use of visual aids and examples that link policy theory to the concrete experience of practitioners. It includes chapter-at-a-glance outlines, definitions of key terms, provocative review questions, recommended reading, and online materials for professors and students.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0765646625
• ISBN13: 9780765646620
• Release Date: September 2015
• Publisher: Routledge
• Length: 418 Pages
• Weight: 1.94 lbs.
• Dimensions: 9.3" x 1.0" x 7.5"

Customer Reviews

Policy Review

I needed some additional information to help in understanding the policy process for an assignment I needed to complete and the book gave detailed explanations which I fould quite helpful.

Solid introduction to the policy process

There are a number of books "out there" on the nature of the public policy process. This is one of the better textbooks on the subject. The book begins with a solid chapter on the nature of public policy and how we study the phenomenon. This flows into the second chapter, which focuses on the history of public policy (going back to Constitutional design) and culminates with a discussion (albeit brief) of the fragmentation of the policy process. The next two chapters explore key actors--official governmental actors like the President and Congress and unofficial actors such as media and think tanks. Thereafter, the text focuses on the various "stages" of the policy process--from agenda setting to policy types to policy design and the toolbox of policies to implementation. The volume concludes with an examination of several theories of the policy process. This book isn't the best of the lot; however, it is a good, serviceable introduction to the policy process.

A clear public policy book...it is possible!

This book explains how public policy is made, the types of models which could be used to make/evaluate a public policy, and an overview of how public policymaking fits into the American government process. Since most people have only learned about the three branches of government, they may not be certain how passed laws are enacted. Lacking the time and expertise needed to implement these laws, legislators at the federal, state, and local levels delegate authority to agencies to make the policy which will implement these laws. The chief benefit of this text is the qualitative approach which Birkland personally prefers (although he does warn that other approaches use an economics-based approach) and clear explanations. It also contains an annotated bibliography of influential works and a dictionary of key terms used in the public policymaking process. Birkland's text is written so that it can be used either by students or public policy practitioners. Instead of bogging down the reader in minutiae and personal liberty, he wanted to emphasize how important public policy is.