American Public Policy - 8th edition

Summary: AMERICAN PUBLIC POLICY is an introductory undergraduate and best selling text that engages students' interest with its unique emphasis on specific, substantive issues of public policy. This text analyzes American public policies in a historical context that allows students to evaluate, analyze, and debate whether established policies are successful or if alternative policies could better serve the American public. The discussion kindled by AMERICAN PUBLIC POLICY educ ...show moreates students on the practical methods of public policy analysis while allowing them to apply their knowledge to real life policies.

New to the Edition

• Thoroughly updated to include current issues in public policy including updates to data and a more streamlined treatment of some policy issues.
• More discussion of policy analysis in the opening chapters.
• A glossary has been added and key terms appear in bold throughout the text.

• The authors stress that the substance of policies should be evaluated through examination of current issues.
• For ease of use and comparison, each chapter follows the same outline (issue background, contemporary policy, policy evaluation, and future alternatives).
• Each chapter ends with a summary, notes, and a list of suggested books and Web sites.
• Tables and graphs give factual information at a glance, helping students evaluate the need for and success of the policies being examined.
• The text focuses on eleven specific policy issues, including welfare, abortion, tax reform, and crime control.
• The authors present policy material step by step, building a picture of the existing policy that students can use to evaluate alternatives.
• The book emphasizes national policy and national policy debate, without neglecting policy at the state and local level.

Edition/Copyright: 8TH 06
Cover: Paperback
Publisher: Wadsworth, Inc
Published: 08/15/2005

View Table of Contents

1. Issues and Public Policy: An Introduction.

2. Intergovernmental Policies: A New Federalism?

3. The Economy: Changing Government-Business Relationships.

4. Economic Issues: Taxing, Spending, and Budgeting.

5. Energy and Environmental Policies: Policy Complacency.

6. Crime and Criminal Justice: Dilemmas of Social Control.

7. Income Support: Security, Work, or Dependency?

8. Health Care: Unlimited Needs, Limited Resources.

9. Education: Conflict in Policy Direction.

10. Legal and Social Equality: The Struggle Against Oppression and Bigotry.

11. Immigration Policy: The Barely Open Door.

12. Foreign Policy: The New Global Challenges.

13. Private Morality and Public Policy: Family Values, Social Issues, and the Open Society.

14. The Continuing Policy Debates: A Conclusion.

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Other Editions of American Public Policy:

American Public Policy : Introduction - 9 edition

ISBN13: 978-0495501893