ABSTRACT
Popular views of the workings of American government are character
ized by diverse and sometimes contradictory stereotypes-politicians
in smoke-filled rooms, bumbling bureaucrats putting rules and regula
tions before content, and “rational” technocrats who coldly pursue
numbers and logic to the exclusion of people. This book addresses a
similar image-that of the policy analyst whose highly technical studies
and advice influence the decisions of politicians and administrators and
devour tax dollars.