Handbook of Political Theory and Policy Science

by Editor-Edward Bryan Portis; Editor-Michael B. Levy

At the most general or inclusive level of meaning, theory and policy refer to two distinct ends of knowledge. While the tension between these two ends is not particularly strong in modern natural science, no such reconciliation has occurred in the social sciences where the role and nature of theory is far from obvious. As a result, a conclusive or consensual answer to the question of the optimal relationship between political theory and political science is not likely to emerge in the foreseeable future. The purpose of this handbook, therefore, is to present, compare, and clarify the most likely alternatives and to explore their implications for the purpose and potential of political science. In addition to offering surveys of ongoing work or major intellectual trends, the contributors to this handbook attempt to establish the validity of their views of the proper or necessary relationship between political theory and policy analysis. This volume presents the range of issues with which one must come to grips in formulating coherent and plausible positions and provides examples of arguments that lead to divergent conclusions.

Paperback

First published October 1, 1988