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.