Public Policy: Politics, Analysis, and Alternatives, 2nd Edition

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Public policy textbooks need to give students a thorough explanation of the policy process, but why do so many relegate policy analysis to a single, final chapter—or not cover it at all? In the third edition of their innovative text, Kraft and Furlong take a decidedly different tack. They introduce and integrate an evaluative approach to policy throughout their text, encouraging critical and creative thinking on issues ranging from economic policy and the financial bailout to homeland security and natural disasters.

Public Policy starts with the basics and concisely reviews institutions, policy actors, and major theoretical models. The authors then discuss the nature of policy analysis and its practice, and show students how to employ evaluative criteria in six substantive policy areas. At its core, Public Policy guides students through policy alternatives, arming them with analytic tools for understanding how the motivations of policy actors—both within and outside of government—influence a complex, yet comprehensible, policy agenda. Professors will appreciate its authoritative, balanced approach, and its accessibility will engage students and keep them reading.

Important features for enhanced readability include:

• Working with Sources and Steps to Analysis feature boxes that help students apply evaluative criteria;
• Policy scenario chapter openers;
• End-of-chapter discussion questions, suggested readings and websites, and keyword lists; 
• A wealth of tables, figures, charts, and photos; and 
• A helpful keyword glossary in the appendix.

In addition to updating throughout all chapters to account for recent events, issues, and policy debates through the end of the Bush presidency, the third edition includes expanded and new coverage of: 

• the mortgage crisis, financial bailout, and ensuing recession;
• the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq; 
• the use of private contractors for military support and operations; 
• homeland security and its implications for civil liberties; 
• national energy policy and high gasoline prices, including proposals for increased offshore drilling;
• climate change issues and politics; 
• the government’s capacity to handle natural disasters, such as Hurricanes Katrina, Gustav, and Ike; and
• immigration controversies, including construction of fencing along the U.S.-Mexican border.

Michael E. Kraft is professor of political science and public affairs and Herbert Fisk Johnson Professor of Environmental Studies at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay. He is the author of, among other works, Environmental Policy and Politics, 4th ed. (2006), and the coeditor of Environmental Policy: New Directions for the 21st Century, 6th ed. (2006) and Technology and Politics (1988), with Norman J. Vig; Public Reactions to Nuclear Waste (1993), with Riley E. Dunlap and Eugene A. Rosa; and Toward Sustainable Communities: Transition and Transformations in Environmental Policy (1999), with Daniel A. Mazmanian. He has taught courses in environmental policy and politics, Congress, and public policy analysis for over thirty years.

Scott R. Furlong is professor of political science and public affairs at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay. His areas of expertise are regulatory policy and interest group participation in the executive branch. Furlong has published articles in a number of journals including Public Administration Review, The Journal of Public Administration, Research and Theory, Administrative Studies Quarterly and Policy Studies Journal. He has been teaching the public policy course for over twelve years.