An Introduction to the Policy Process: Theories, Concepts, and Models of Public Policy Making

by Thomas A. Birkland

The fourth edition of this widely-used text relates theory to practice in the public policy process. In a clear, conversational style, author Tom Birkland conveys the best current thinking on the policy process with an emphasis on accessibility and synthesis. This new edition has been reorganized to better explain the role of policy analysis in the policy process. New to this • A new section on the role of policy analysis and policy analysts in the policy process. • A revised and updated chapter surveying the social, economic, and demographic trends that are transforming the policy environment. • Fully updated references to help the advanced reader locate the most important theoretical literature in policy process studies. • New illustrations and an improved layout to clarify key ideas and stimulate classroom discussion. The book makes generous use of visual aids and examples that link policy theory to the concrete experience of practitioners. It includes chapter-at-a-glance outlines, definitions of key terms, provocative review questions, recommended reading, and online materials for professors and students.

Genres: Politics, Nonfiction, Public Policy, Textbooks, Political Science, Academic, School

418 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2001

Reviews

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Had to use this book for my masters course, it explained the concepts clearly and seemed to be a good place to start discussions.

[Rachel Smalter Hall · Rating 3 out of 5]

I LOVE talking about Policy! This was recommended by a professor for my Masters program in Library and Information Science. For someone like me who never actually HAD to take a course in U.S. Government, it proved to be an enlightening and comprehensive look at the basic components of the policy process. Birkland offers some pretty level perspective on thinking about stakeholders, triggering events, intended and unintended consequences, and he even delves into a brief introduction of policy theory.

[Marwan · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's a good introduction to a the policy world

[milo · Rating 2 out of 5]

for pbpl5 (it seems like those are the only books i read at this point)

boring but necessary. i did it though. u know i did it. go me.

[Airason · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a strong introduction to the public policy making process.

[Kayte · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Definition of Organizational Learning in Chp 9

[Dr. Reem A. Alfrayan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like its simplicity a good intro to the theories, concepts and models of policy making ....

[Emily Herman · Rating 4 out of 5]

While quite dense, this book possessed a lot of valuable information on the policy process. The overall structure of the text was logical. There were a handful of glaringly biased statements which took away from the credibility of the sections they were in. Chapter 11 could have been synthesized more similarly to the rest of the text. My level of understanding dropped in reading about the theoretical frameworks. (It was not useful to me in current form.)

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

A solid intro to public policy analysis with clear descriptions and examples.

[Jen · Rating 2 out of 5]

ZZZZzzzzzzzzzZzzz

[Shena · Rating 4 out of 5]

for a textbook i did not touch all term until the nights before the midterm and final this was not terrible to get through

[Olive · Rating 1 out of 5]

This had some mildly interesting information, but it really turns me off when a book has a direct quote from a dictionary.

[Sarah Calvert · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good intro to policy discussion, kinda dry bc it's a textbook 🙃 but it wasn't a bad read (I'm also a political science nerd tho)

[sloane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Long Winded but Beneficial Information

[Steven Peterson · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are a number of books "out there" on the nature of the public policy process. This is one of the better textbooks on the subject.

The book begins with a solid chapter on the nature of public policy and how we study the phenomenon. This flows into the second chapter, which focuses on the history of public policy (going back to Constitutional design) and culminates with a discussion (albeit brief) of the fragmentation of the policy process.

The next two chapters explore key actors--official governmental actors like the President and Congress and unofficial actors such as media and think tanks.

Thereafter, the text focuses on the various "stages" of the policy process--from agenda setting to policy types to policy design and the toolbox of policies to implementation.

The volume concludes with an examination of several theories of the policy process.

This book isn't the best of the lot; however, it is a good, serviceable introduction to the policy process.

[Angela]

So far finding it both interesting and useful. Reading it for class.

[Mills College Library]

320.6 B6192 2011

[Keith · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed some sections of this book, especially the first 3 chapters. I find that the there are other books on public policy that do a better job of outlining the policy process.

[Lilia E]

Read for my undegrad studies.