ABSTRACT

This brief text identifies the issues, resources, actors, and institutions involved in public policy making and traces the dynamics of the policymaking process, including the triggering of issue awareness, the emergence of an issue on the public agenda, the formation of a policy commitment, and the implementation process that translates policy into practice. Throughout the text, which has been revised and updated, Gerston brings his analysis to life with abundant examples from the most recent and emblematic cases of public policy making. At the same time, with well-chosen references, he places policy analysis in the context of political science and deftly orients readers to the classics of public policy studies. Each chapter ends with discussion questions and suggestions for further reading.

chapter |19 pages

The Context of Public Policy

chapter |26 pages

Triggering Mechanisms

Catalysts for Public Policies

chapter |22 pages

The Public Agenda

Focal Point for Policy Decisions

chapter |20 pages

The Policy Makers

Roles and Realities

chapter |22 pages

Implementation

Converting Policy Commitments into Practice

chapter |15 pages

Evaluation

Assessments and Directions