Part I. Introduction to Public Policy
1. Policy and Visions of Governance
2. Thinking About Public Policy: How Choices Are Made
3. Federalism and Intergovernmental Relations
4. Policy Analysis
Part II. Dimensions of Public Policy
5. Agenda Setting
6. Policy Formation
7. Policy Implementation
8. Policy Evaluation
9. Policy Termination
Part III. Major Public Policies
10. Defense Policy
11. Public Health Policy
12. General Social Policy
13. Education Policy
14. Criminal Justice Policy
15. Green Policy
16. Immigration Policy
17. Cost of Policy
Conclusion: Future of Public Policy
Biography
Christopher A. Simon is Professor of Public Affairs, former Interim Director of the MPP Program, and former Director of the MPA Program in the School of Public Affairs at The University of Utah, United States.
"An excellent guidebook for students that teaches them both the analytical and normative skills to understand, assess, and even implement public policies. In an age where the underlying democratic principles of reasoned, net beneficial public policy are increasingly under attack, this book is more important than ever."
Benjamin K. Sovacool, University of Sussex, UK and Boston University, USA
“Clear, comprehensive, deeply engaging, and thoroughly updated. Simon’s Public Policy has anchored my teaching for years, giving students both essential foundations and the tools to analyze policy with rigor and confidence. It remains the first text I recommend for anyone beginning the study of public policy.”
David P. Adams, Associate Professor, California State University, Fullerton
“The 4th edition of Public Policy: Preferences and Outcomes offers students a clear, engaging, and comprehensive introduction to public policy. Simon effectively bridges theory with practice, ensuring that readers grasp both foundational concepts and the real-world dynamics shaping today’s policy choices and outcomes.”
Brent S. Steel, University Distinguished Professor, Oregon State University
“I have observed the evolution of Public Policy: Preferences and Outcomes over the course of four editions and am very happy to see that it remains an important mainstay in our disciplinary literature. The 4th edition once again provides a sound foundation for understanding the public policy process and its vast consequences for American democracy, including timely updates relating to changes being introduced during the 2nd Trump administration. As Christopher Simon notes, “public policy is affected by two different worlds: the world of the normative—the realm of political philosophy—and the world of empirical—the realm of science. This book explores both realms.” In a uniformly evenhanded, fair, and sensitive way, Simon provides an outstanding exploration of these two realms to the benefit of all students regardless of their political inclinations.”
Nicholas P. Lovrich, Regents Professor, Claudius O. and Mary W. Johnson Distinguished Professor of Political Science, Washington State University
