1. Public Policy as a Concept and a Field (or Fields) of Study
2. Does Politics Cause Policy? Does Policy Cause Politics?
3. Who Makes Decisions? How Do They Make Decisions? Actors and Institutions
4. Whose Values? Policy Design
5. Where Does Policy Come From? The Policy Process
6. What Should We Do? The Field of Policy Analysis
7. What Have We Done? Impact Analysis and Program Evaluation
8. How Does It Work? Policy Implementation
9. New Directions: Revisiting Models of Policy Change
10. Do the Policy Sciences Exist?
Appendix: Questions for Discussion or Comprehensive Exam Prep
References
Index
Biography
Kevin B. Smith is the Leland J. and Dorothy H. Olson Chair of Political Science at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
Christopher W. Larimer is Professor of Political Science at the University of Northern Iowa.
“Smith and Larimer have bested their own classic! There is enough intro for my advanced undergraduates, enough detail for aspiring masters’ students, and enough 'real world' for actual policy makers. My old copy is taped and dog-eared — I look forward to scrawling in the margins of this excellent update.”
Arnold F. Shober, Professor of Government, Lawrence University, Wisconsin“The Public Policy Theory Primer offers readers a clear overview of the field of policy studies while also delving into the practical implementation and evaluation of public policy. The authors invite students of policy studies to engage with research critically and develop a deep understanding of how scholars and students of the field can continue to expand and explore new horizons. This is a must-assign book for anyone teaching a public policy class aimed at undergraduate students or graduate students alike.”
Clare Brock, Colorado State University“The Public Policy Theory Primer is an exceptional text that I have used for upper-level undergraduate classes for more than a decade. It offers a comprehensive and accessible exploration of the major theories that shape the study and practice of public policy. This latest edition is sharp, approachable, and engaging, and I appreciate that they have expanded their discussion of connections between theory and practice.”
Anne S. Douds, Gettysburg College
