To explain the fundamentals of public policy, this best-selling text focuses on the process behind the crafting of legislation. By examining the individual steps--from identifying a problem, to agenda setting, to evaluation, revision, or termination of a policy--students are able to see how different factors influence the creation of policy. Each chapter features at least one case study to illustrate how general ideas are applied to specific policy issues.

Table of Contents

Note: Chapters 1-7 conclude with For Further Exploration, Test Your Knowledge, Suggested Readings, and Notes. 1. The Study of Public Policy The Plan of This Book What Is Public Policy? Categories of Public Policies Approaches to Policy Study Methodological Difficulties in Studying Public Policy 2. The Policy-Makers and Their Environment The Policy Environment The Official Policy-Makers Nongovernmental Participants Levels of Politics Case Study: The Endangered Snail Darter 3. Policy Formation: Problems, Agendas, and Formulation Policy Problems The Policy Agenda The Agenda-Setting Process Nondecisions The Loss of Agenda Status Two Cases in Agenda Setting Case Study: Coal-Mine Safety Case Study: Environmental Pollution Control The Formulation of Policy Proposals Policy Formulation as a Technical Process Case Study: Formulating Policy: The Family and Medical Leave Act A Concluding Comment 4. Policy Adoption Theories of Decision-Making Decision Criteria The Public Interest Styles of Decision-Making Presidential Decision-Making Case Study: Policy Adoption: Consumer Bankruptcy 5. Budgeting and Public Policy The Budget and Public Policy The National Budgetary Process Case Study: The Struggle to Balance the Budget 6. Policy Implementation Federalism and Implementation Who Implements Policy? Administrative Organization Administrative Politics Administrative Policymaking Case Study: National Park Service Fire Policy Case Study: The Elementary and Secondary Education Act Techniques of Control Case Study: The Clean Air Act's Emissions-Trading System Compliance 7. Policy Impact, Evaluation, and Change Policy Impact Policy Evaluation Policy Evaluation Processes Case Study: The GAO and Food Safety Problems in Policy Evaluation Policy Evaluation: The Use and Misuse of Cost-Benefit Analysis Case Study: The Politics of Evaluation: Head Start Policy Termination Case Study: The Policy Cycle: Airline Regulation and Deregulation 8. Concluding Comments