What Is Policy Analysis?

This chapter situates policy analysis within the broader context of policy studies and policy making. We present the “rational model” of policy analysis. We introduce traditional versions of this approach and explain how they compare with the framework we adopt in this book. Like the traditional model, we believe that policy analysis requires the systematic comparison of alternative policy options in light of various evaluative criteria. However, our approach differs from the more orthodox versions in that it is open to multiple ideological and disciplinary perspectives. The chapter also discusses two alternative models for policy analysis based on the concepts of “design thinking” and “incrementalism.”