Updated in a new 13th edition and the gold-standard for introductory public policy texts, Understanding Public Policy is designed to provide readers with concrete tools for not only understanding public policy in general, but for analyzing specific public policies. This new edition focuses on the many policy changes initiated by President Barack Obama, with special attention given to the economic policies addressing the global financial crisis.
1. Policy Analysis: What Governments Do, Why They Do It, and What Difference It Makes
2. Models of Politics: Some Help in Thinking About Public Policy
3. The Policymaking Process: Decision-Making Activities
4. Criminal Justice: Rationality and Irrationality in Public Policy
5. Health and Welfare: The Search for Rational Strategies
6. Education: Group Struggles
7. Economic Policy: Challenging Incrementalism
8. Tax Policy: Battling the Special Interests
9. International Trade and Immigration: Elite-Mass Conflict
10. Energy and Environmental Policy: Externalities and Interests
etc.