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Policy Dynamics (02) by Baumgartner, Frank R [Paperback (2002)]
Policy Dynamics (02) by Baumgartner, Frank R [Paperback (2002)]
Paperback
First published June 15, 2002
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October 17, 2009
Frank Baumgartner and Bryan Jones have written one of the more interesting books on political change, "Agendas and Instability in American Politics," in which they use the metaphor of punctuated equilibrium theory from biology to explain the norm of stasis in policy discourse, punctuated by periods of dramatic change to a new equilibrium.
This edited work serves as a nice follow up to that earlier, estimable volume. The authors note that this work explores (page 1) "some long-term trends in the development of American politics and public policy." They identify two goals to be met by this book: (1) to further demonstrate the power of their punctuated equilibrium theory of politics; (2) to introduce readers of the volume to the wealth of data drawn upon and to spur future research in the area.
Readers without some background in political science will doubtless find this rather difficult material. However, for those with a modicum of knowledge about political science, this is a rich volume. The first part of the book features discussion of positive and negative feedback in politics and in the study of political dynamics.
Parts two and three focus on a variety of case studies by different researchers. Examples of policies covered in Part two include telecommunication policy, immigration reform, science and technology policy, and national security. Part three is more interested in structures of decision making, such as the use of omnibus legislation and changing agendas of Congress and the Supreme Court.
Part four is one chapter, authored by the two editors, in which they reflect upon the issues addressed throughout this book. In the end, they speak to the role of democracy in policy change and policy making.
For those interested in the policy process and its dynamics, this is a valuable addition to the literature.
This edited work serves as a nice follow up to that earlier, estimable volume. The authors note that this work explores (page 1) "some long-term trends in the development of American politics and public policy." They identify two goals to be met by this book: (1) to further demonstrate the power of their punctuated equilibrium theory of politics; (2) to introduce readers of the volume to the wealth of data drawn upon and to spur future research in the area.
Readers without some background in political science will doubtless find this rather difficult material. However, for those with a modicum of knowledge about political science, this is a rich volume. The first part of the book features discussion of positive and negative feedback in politics and in the study of political dynamics.
Parts two and three focus on a variety of case studies by different researchers. Examples of policies covered in Part two include telecommunication policy, immigration reform, science and technology policy, and national security. Part three is more interested in structures of decision making, such as the use of omnibus legislation and changing agendas of Congress and the Supreme Court.
Part four is one chapter, authored by the two editors, in which they reflect upon the issues addressed throughout this book. In the end, they speak to the role of democracy in policy change and policy making.
For those interested in the policy process and its dynamics, this is a valuable addition to the literature.
Displaying 1 of 1 review