Policy Analysis in the Twenty-First Century: Complexity, Conflict, and Cases

The field called policy analysis focused originally on the formulation of new policies and was structured to give advice to those in the top reaches of government agencies. Within several decades the field moved beyond the formulation stage of the policy process (creating new policies) to agenda setting, implementation, and evaluation of existing policies. New skill sets emerged and staff were found in many parts of the policy world. Despite these changes, there has been little attention paid to the possible shifts in the relationship between analysts and clients, and students of policy analysis often enter the world of work with little exposure to the situations they might face. Policy Analysis in the Twenty-First Century is designed to familiarize students with the diversity of experiences that they can expect to face in their practitioner role.

Author Beryl Radin bases the discussion on case studies that illustrate realities in the current policy analysis environment. Set in very different environments (including both US and international settings), the players in the cases illustrate three different stages of a career (beginning the career, mid-career, and people at the end of their career). The cases are based on realistic situations and demonstrate the volatility and complexity of the decision environments. At the same time, they provide attention to the analysts’ personal values and career goals. This book will be required reading for faculty and masters level students in both public management and policy analysis classes. It may also be used in executive programs.

Beryl A. Radin is a member of the faculty of the McCourt School of Public Policy at Georgetown University, USA. An elected member of the National Academy of Public Administration, she was the Managing Editor of the Journal of Public Administration Research and Theory and also served as the editor of a book series on Public Management and Change at Georgetown University Press. Her government service included two years as a Special Advisor to the Assistant Secretary for Management and Budget of the US Department of Health and Human Services. Professor Radin has written a number of books and articles on public policy and public management issues. She received the 2014 International Research Society for Public Management Routledge Prize for Outstanding Contribution to Public Management Research, the John Gaus Award from the American Political Science Association in 2012, the H. George Frederickson Award for Lifetime Achievement from the Public Management Research Association in 2009, and the 2002 Donald Stone Award given by the American Society for Public Administration’s section on intergovernmental management to recognize a scholar’s distinguished record. Radin has been a past president of the Association of Public Policy Analysis and Management.